Brazil stun Spain to reach Olympic women’s football final
Brazil thrashed world champions, Spain, to set up a repeat of the 2008 Olympic women’s football final against the United States in Paris on Saturday.
An Irene Paredes own goal set Brazil on their way, with Gabi Portilho scoring a second on the stroke of half-time to stun the side that many had tipped as favourites for the gold medal.
Adriana added a third for Brazil, who were still without their all-time leading scorer, Marta, 38, after she was suspended following her dismissal in the Group C defeat to the Spaniards.
While Duda Sampaio headed into her own goal to give Spain hope, Kerolin raced clear in the first of 15 added minutes to score Brazil’s fourth before Salma Paralluelo bundled in a late consolation.
Brazil are now guaranteed to at least match their previous best showing in the competition, when they won the silver medal in 2004 and 2008 on both occasions losing to the US.
In latest football news, United States edged out Germany after extra time to reach the final for the first time since 2012 through a Sophia Smith’s strike in the 95th minute.
Germany, who won the competition at Rio 2016, nearly took the contest to penalties but Laura Freigang’s header was superbly saved by US goalkeeper, Alyssa Naeher, in the 119th minute.
Spain will now play Germany for the bronze medal in Lyon on Friday. -BBC
