Brazil are Copa América Femenina champions for the ninth time after victory on penalties over Colombia in Quito.
The crucial moment of victory came following a thrilling 4-4 draw after extra time. Brazil keeper Lorena, who had been sent off when the two sides met in the group stages, saved Jorelyn Carabalí’s spot kick to secure the title for Brazil.
Arthur Elias made seven changes to his Brazil side that beat Uruguay 5-1 in the semi final. The most high profile of which saw both Marta and Amanda Gutierres, who had both found the net in the semi final, benched. In their place came Kerolin and Dudinha, Lorena also returned between the sticks after her one match suspension concluded.
By contrast Colombia made only one change for the showpiece final from their 0-0 semi final draw with Argentina. That change was to the midfield where Catalina Usme dropped out and Ilana Izquierdo was introduced.
On a winter’s night at the Rodrigo Paz Delgado Stadium both side’s sought to make history. Brazil were looking for their record extending ninth title. Colombia on the other hand were hoping for their first title having made the final three times before, losing each to Brazil most recently on home soil in 2022.
The Line ups
COL: Tapia, C. Arais, D. Arais, Carabalí, Caracas, Izquierdo, Bedoya, Santos, Loboa, Ramírez, Caicedo
BRA: Lorena, Tarciane, Mariza, Palermo, Portilho, Angelina, Sampaio, Yasmim, Kerolin, Dudinha, Gio Garbelini
The Action
There was a sizzling atmosphere inside the stadium in the Ecuadorian capital at its dizzying altitude. That excitement was rubber stamped when an intricate passing move on the edge of the Brazilian box from Colombia found Mayra Ramírez in space.
Ramírez lifting her head up and seeing that Linda Caicedo had found a pocket of space in the box, toe poked the ball into her path. With one touch to steady herself with her left foot, the Real Madrid star swept the ball home past Lorena with her right, with 24 minutes gone the underdogs had the lead.
Colombia held their lead until the dying moments of the first half after Brighton defender Carabalí gave away a needless penalty and was lucky to avoid a red card. After a competitive challenge for the ball in the air with Brazil’s Gio Garbelini, Carabalí got up and headbutted the Brazilian.
The referee was called to the screen by a VAR and she awarded Seleção a penalty which Angelina clinically converted. Owing to double jeopardy rules Carabalí was not dismissed. However owing to the seriousness of the incident perhaps it should have fallen under the rules of violent conduct but the Colombian was allowed to play on.
With just over twenty minutes in the match to play Brazil handed Colombia back the lead. OL Lyonnes defender Tarciane passed the ball back towards her own goal without noting Lorena’s advanced position. The ball trickled agonisingly over the line with both players scrambling to recover from their fatal miscommunication but it was too late and Colombia had restored their advantage.
That prompted Elias to roll the dice, with Marta introduced from the bench. She joined Amanda Gutierres who had come off the bench herself with the side trailing in the 44th minute of the first half.
This time it was Gutierres with just eight minutes remaining who scored a magnificent goal to pull Brazil level. Gio speculatively lofted the ball high into the box which found Gutierres who chested the ball onto her left foot and fired into the far corner with inch perfect accuracy. She spun on her heel and celebrated with the Brazilian fans cupping her ears to the crowd in delight.
However Colombia responded and with two minutes of normal time remaining, Caicedo was played through on goal. Maintaining her composure the starlet held onto the ball, for the perfect amount of time, cutting inside and out before returning the favour to Ramírez who had set her up for the opener. Ramírez expertly finished the chance and put Colombia on the brink of victory.
In the 96th minute with less than a minute remaining of time added on, Brazil scrambled for a leveller. A long hopeful ball into the box was cleared away to the last place they would have wanted, the boot of Marta.
The veteran forward fired the ball first time from the outside of the box into the back of the net. A moment of magic from the Orlando Pride forward to push the match into extra time.
In extra time it was Marta again who made the difference for Brazil. A clipped ball into the box from Angelina found Marta in space, before the Brazilian legend tucked home the chance, astonishingly it was 4-3 and Brazil led the match for the first time.
But this thrilling encounter had one final twist within the 120 minutes. With just five minutes to play of extra time Washington Spirit midfielder Leicy Santos stepped up to a free kick just outside the box. Satnos caught Lorena, out curling the ball into the far corner, 4-4, penalties.
Thankfully for all those watching on, the drama was not limited to the 120 minutes. And in the shootout as it had been in the match, it was Colombia who drew first blood. Angelina’s effort was well stopped by Katherine Tapia, the tournament’s golden glove winner. However Colombia would not press home their advantage and West Ham’s Manuela Paví and Santos’ penalties missed. That gave Marta the opportunity to win the trophy for Brazil.
Under pressure, Marta shot and Tapia saved, and this dramatic shootout and match went on. That was until, with Brazil leading 5-4, Carabalí had to score to keep her nation in it, Lorena dived smartly to her right to palm it away, Brazil, stunningly, were champions on the continent again.
History slips through Colombian fingers
Colombia played their part in a match that will go down as one of the great major tournament finals. For the longest time it had looked as if Colombia would take home the trophy for the first time but Marta’s magic denied them. Wonderful attacking performances from Valerin Laboa, Ramírez, Caicedo and Santos were tempered by woeful defensive efforts from Carabalí, both Daniela and Carolina Arias and Daniela Caracas.
Defensively they were noticeably improved by the introduction of Wendy Bonilla but the 108th minute was too late and they had already conceded four. With their attack one of the best in the world their defence needs time to catch up. A fourth Copa final defeat will sting but in the cold light of day they will know how close they came. And likewise Brazil will know this match was a notice of sorts for what is to come from Colombia.
Finishers save Seleção
Marta was introduced with only right minutes remaining of normal time. With time ticking away, Colombia scored what looked to be a stunning winner but Marta would not be denied, levelling with hardly any time remaining. It was a goal taken in stunning fashion, as much skill as it was force of will. Marta then put her side ahead with another intelligent finish in extra time.
Amanda Gutierres was also introduced off the bench and scored a wonderful goal, a player sure to take on the mantle from Marta in the coming years. This was Arthur Elias’ first Copa America triumph and victory was seen as vital for preparation for the World Cup coming in 2027. His finishers made the difference for him and Brazil in the end but don’t expect them to start from the bench in the Finalissima.
The Halfway Line Player of the Match: Marta
Linda Caicedo was spectacular in the final, and with the talent she possesses her time will surely come but who else could take this gong, really? Named the Player of the Tournament after full time on Saturday night, Marta won it for good reason.
Marta came off the bench to score twice and ensure an improbable comeback for her nation. Even though she did not convert her penalty in the shootout her nation would not have had the chance to take any without her. So commonly referred to in women’s football circles as the greatest of all time, last night she got a little greater.
