The US defeated Brazil 1-0 in the women’s soccer final.
« Cry at the beginning so you can smile at the end. »
Had Brazil lived up to Marta’s famous words after a 1-0 defeat in the Olympic final against the US on Saturday in Paris? The South Americans were condemned to their third silver medal in history. Marta herself provided the answer: “I am crying here of gratitude, of happiness. I am not crying because we won silver. Look, how much Brazil had to overcome in this tournament to reach this final. This silver medal restores our pride – when you put on the shirt of Brazil, represent our country, and play with joy, desire, determination, and perseverance. Silver here, gold in life.”
Once again, Brazil and Marta had fallen short. After an agonizing twelve minutes of injury time and an outstanding save from Alyssa Naeher, Marta stood in the center circle, contemplating defeat and the crushing reality that a gold medal – or major prize – would remain elusive forever. Her international career was over. The Americans celebrated their gold medal to the tunes of ‘Born in the USA’, the stands around Marta rocking in the glow of a summer day in the French capital.
In his team’s moment of need, Brazilian manager Arthur Elias had turned to Marta. Against the run of play, his side fell behind to a slick 57th-minute American goal and needed leadership, experience, and vision to contend with the US, so feeble until Brazil lost midfielder Yaya to injury.
