United States go for gold against Marta’s Brazil in Olympic women’s football final
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The United States celebrating after scoring against Germany in their semi-final clash at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Aug 6.
PHOTO: REUTERS
PARIS – A resurgent United States under new coach Emma Hayes are hoping to establish themselves as the leading force in women’s football once again, by claiming the gold medal in the Olympic final on Aug 10 against Brazil and their legendary skipper Marta.
The Americans came into the Games with a rejuvenated squad and a point to prove after a poor showing at the 2023 World Cup, where they were eliminated at the last-16 stage for the first time.
They were also below par at each of the last two Olympics, finishing out of the medals at Rio 2016 before taking bronze in Tokyo in 2021.
But the arrival of renowned English coach Hayes has given them the boost they needed, and they have been inspired on their way to the final by the exciting attacking trio of Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson and Trinity Rodman.
They have each scored three goals at the tournament, with the US winning all three group games against Zambia, Germany and Australia, before dispatching both Japan and the Germans in extra time in the knockout rounds.
Now they are hoping to add to their record haul of four golds and win the title for the first time since London 2012.
“Emma came in so soon before this tournament, so we knew that was going to be a challenge, but she just came in flying and we absolutely love her,” said Smith.
“She has worked every day to build our trust. She is such a great coach and such a great mentor.
“We are a completely different team and a lot of the credit goes to Emma.
“She has communicated everyone’s roles very clearly.”
Spain missed out in their bid to add Olympic gold to their World Cup title after they were surprisingly beaten 4-2 by Brazil in the semi-final in Marseille on Aug 6.
The Brazilians are attempting to make it third time lucky after losing to the Americans in the final at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
Both of those finals featured Marta, the Brazilian veteran and multiple winner of the Fifa World Player of the Year award. Now 38, she is appearing at her sixth and likely last Olympics, and is aiming to sign off with a gold to go with her two silver medals.
Marta missed both the quarter-final win against France and the semi-final against Spain due to suspension after being sent off for a reckless challenge in Brazil’s final group game, also against the Spaniards.
“Now she will be able to finish her Olympics playing in a final, where she deserves to be. I hope she manages to come away with the gold medal,” said Gabi Portilho, who scored in both the quarter-final and semi-final. AFP