90min
·6 August 2024
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·6 August 2024
The second women's soccer semi-final at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games is a Group C rematch between Brazil and Spain, and the winner will get the chance to play for a gold medal.
Brazil faced Spain in the final Group C fixture at the 2024 Paris Olympics less than one week ago, and La Roja came out on top with a 2-0 victory. Not only did the Selecao lose the match, but they also lost Marta after the legend got shown a straight red. Even without their captain, though, Brazil rallied against France on Saturday to punch their ticket to the semi-finals.
Spain also had to dig deep to survive the quarter-finals. The reigning World Cup champions made a remarkable late-game comeback from two goals down against Colombia, and then secured the win in a penalty shootout. Now, Brazil is the only thing left standing between La Roja and a gold medal match.
Marta received a two-game suspension for her red card challenge in the group stage. / Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/GettyImages
As of now, Brazil will once again be without their captain in their upcoming match. Marta was sent off in the Selecao's final group stage match against Spain for a dangerous high boot on Olga Carmona, and therefore was suspended for the quarter-finals. FIFA's Disciplinary Committee extended her punishment, though, and suspended her for the semi-finals as well.
The Brazilian Football Confederation are appealing the two-game suspension with the hope that Marta can play on Tuesday.
Brazil predicted lineup vs Spain ( 4-4-2 ): Lorena; Antonia, Lauren, Tarciane, Ribeiro; Leal, Vitoria, Sampaio, Jhennifer; Da Silva, Portilho
Expect Spain's starting XI to feature multiple changes. / Eurasia Sport Images/GettyImages
Spain came out flat against Colombia, but expect Montserrat Tome to stick with her strongest XI that has gotten her squad to the semi-finals in their first Olympics appearance. Her best players, including Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas, were rested when La Roja faced Brazil in the group stage, but will surely start on Tuesday.
After having a quiet group stage, Barcelona's Salma Paralluelo assisted both of Spain's goals in the quarter-finals, and will once again play a massive role up top for her side.
Spain predicted lineup vs Brazil (4-1-2-3): Coll; Batlle, Paredes, Aleixandri, Olga; Guijarro; Bonmati, Putellas; Del Castillo, Paralluelo, Caldentey
Brazil proved themselves against France, but Spain is a different story. The reigning World Cup champions have been perfect so far at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and will look to come out strong after playing their worst game of the tournament in the quarter-finals.
Brazil will be well-rested, though, against a La Roja side who played 120 minutes just three days prior, and can certainly limit Spain's success, especially if Lorena stands on her head again.