RIO DE JANEIRO — Sweden ended a disconsolate Marta’s dreams of guiding Brazil’s women to a first Olympic football gold medal Tuesday with a 4-3 penalty shootout win to set up a final with Germany.
The five-time world player of the year walked off in tears after the upset before 70,000 people in a stunned Maracana Stadium.
Brazil thrashed the Swedes 5-1 in the group stages but was held to a third consecutive 0-0 draw. As in its quarterfinal win over Australia, it forced to go through the agony of penalties.
Unlike against the Australians, Marta converted from the spot, but then saw her ambition of capping a glorious career by finally winning a major international title devastated.
Marta, who has played her club football in Sweden for the past four years, was consoled by Swedish players, whilst the huge Maracana crowd gave their defeated team a huge ovation.
Cristiane, the Olympics’ all-time top scorer, and Andressa saw their spot kicks saved by Hedvig Lindahl after neither side could score a goal in 120 minutes.
Lisa Dahlkvist converted the winning penalty to secure a place in the final and Sweden’s first women’s football Olympic medal.
Germany also avenged a group stage defeat in the other semifinal. Goals from tournament top scorer Melanie Behringer and Sara Daebritz confined Canada to a 2-0 defeat and another battle for the bronze it won in London four years ago against Brazil in Sao Paolo Friday.
Brazil’s women were playing for just the second time at Maracana and Marta hopes the momentum built-up for the women’s version of the game in football-mad Brazil is not halted by the disappointment.
“Nothing will take the shine off the work we did during the whole year,” Marta told SporTV.
“There is no way to describe the feeling of frustration,” said Brazil coach Vadao.
There was delight for Sweden coach Pia Sundhage, who can now win a third straight gold medal after leading the United States to victory in 2008 and 2012.
“It is very emotional. I have been in China and London in Olympic finals, but with a team everyone expected to do well.”
Marta inspired the 5-1 group stage thrashing of Sweden with two goals, but despite their dominance the ball would not go in for the host as Marta, Beatriz and Debinha all came close.
US goalie Solo castigated Sweden as “cowards” for their defensive display in the last eight, but that seemed to only strengthen the resolve of Sundhage’s women as they barely threatened the Brazilian goal.
“It is not for me to criticize the opponent, especially because their strategy worked and they had good results in both matches,” said Vadao graciously.
Vadao introduced Cristiane for extra-time despite doubts over her fitness after missing the quarterfinal through injury.
The gamble backfired, though, as she couldn’t add to the 14 goals she has scored across four Games from the spot. And when Lindahl parried Andressa’s effort, Dahlkvist coolly slotted home to silence the Maracana.
