Spanish women file for bankruptcy with disastrous owner
The Brazilian women's national football team advances to the Olympic football final. Without star Marta, who was absent due to a red card suspension, the South Americans defeated world champions Spain convincingly. The defeat was initiated by an unusual own goal.
The curse of the women's world champions at the Olympics continues. On Tuesday evening, it was the Spanish footballers' turn. After a poor performance, they were eliminated in the semi-finals against Brazil and will now face the German team, which lost to the USA in extra time, for the bronze medal. Since women's football was introduced at the Olympics in 1996, no defending champion has been able to win the tournament the following year.
The Spanish team started the match with an incredible own goal. Goalkeeper Cata Coll shot the ball against Brazilian player Priscila in her own penalty area, which then hit the back of Spanish captain Irene Paredes and rolled into the goal (6'). What a comedy of errors, a goal like that is rarely seen. The Spanish team, who had won the first encounter in the group stage 2:0, shook off the initial shock but played too many mistakes.
Priscila's unsportsmanlike celebration in the face of the unfortunate goalkeeper caused controversy and drew much criticism. Just before half-time, Gabi Portilho (45.+4) extended Brazil's lead, and Adriana scored the third goal (71.). In the final stages, Salma Paralluelo scored twice for Spain (85./90.+12), but the game was decided after Kerolin's goal (90.+1) and the path to the gold medal match against the USA was clear.
The South Americans had a heavy burden to carry into the rematch. Their star player Marta was sent off in the last group match against Spain for a foul that involved a karate kick against her opponent. Marta was suspended for two games. The 38-year-old and the federation failed in their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to reduce the red card suspension by one game.
Marta was completely devastated after receiving the red card. She left the field in tears after kicking Olga Cardona. The six-time FIFA World Player of the Year, who had announced her retirement from the national team before the tournament, is participating in her sixth Olympics. She won silver with Brazil in 2004 and 2008. She is Brazil's all-time leading scorer and one of the greatest players of all time.
Despite Marta's absence due to a suspension, the Brazilian women's soccer team continued their impressive run, defeating defending champions Spain in the Olympic soccer semi-finals. The victory was significant as Soccer was their route to the final.
