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Sports, Football

Brazil shock world champions Spain


By AFP
Published : 07 Aug 2024 09:48 PM

The United States and Brazil will meet in the final of the Olympic women's football after claiming contrasting wins in Tuesday's last-four ties against Germany and World Cup holders Spain respectively.

The USA, record four-time women's football gold medalists, are still on course to win the title for the first time since 2012 after beating Germany 1-0 in extra time in Lyon, with Sophia Smith scoring the only goal.

Brazil later won through to their first final since 2008 by unexpectedly getting the better of the reigning world champions with a remarkable 4-2 victory in Marseille.

The USA, under new English coach Emma Hayes, will be favourites to win Saturday's final showdown at the Parc des Princes in Paris and claim a record-extending fifth title after previous triumphs in 1996, 2004, 2008 and in London 12 years ago.

However, they had to toil against Germany on a stiflingly hot day before eventually winning with a single extra-time goal, just as they had in the quarter-final against Japan.

We had a tough year last year, in every way possible, but I feel like this is a new year and we are really just showing the world that we didn't ever drop off.

The USA are guaranteed at least silver after finishing out of the medals at Rio 2016 and taking bronze three years ago in Tokyo.

It is a remarkable achievement for new English coach Hayes, who only left Chelsea to take up the job a little over two months ago.

Spain were favourites to beat Brazil in Marseille and join the USA in the final, especially having already defeated the South Americans in the group stage.

However, there were signs of fragility in the last eight, when they came from two goals down against Colombia before eventually winning on penalties.