Brazil will meet the United States in the final of the Olympic women’s football tournament after beating world champion Spain 4-2.
Gabi Portilho, Adriana and Kerolin struck in a thrilling semi-final at Stade de Marseille after an own-goal from Irene Paredes had put the two-time silver medallist in front.
“It’s a dream, and dreams come true,” said Kerolin, whose goal in the first of more than 15 minutes of stoppage time helped to hold off a late Spain fightback. “I’m so excited, so excited, so excited and I’m really, really, really impressed by my teammates.”
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Victory means Brazil great Marta has the chance to end her glittering international career by competing for gold after being suspended for the quarter and semi finals.
The 38-year-old Marta has said her sixth Olympics will be her last major tournament with the national team.
“We just knew what we came to do today, and it was a final for us today,” said Angelina, who was leading the Brazil team.
“So, we were just very determined and we just came for the win.”
Angelina said the Brazil squad needed to “celebrate a little bit” but quickly focus on the final.
“It was a big win. Again, Spain is an amazing team and we knew that,” she said. “So now we need to rest and we need to study a lot, and see what we can do against the U.S.”
Spain won’t get the chance in Paris to further cement its place at the top of women’s soccer by adding Olympic gold to the World Cup it won last year.
But there’s plenty still to play for at the Paris Games.
“We keep fighting for something super nice and it will continue to be the Olympics until the end,” Spain forward Jennifer Hermoso said.
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“A bronze medal is also very difficult to get.”
Paredes’ sixth-minute own goal put Brazil in control from the outset.
Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll made a meal of her clearance after she was passed the ball at the back.
She attempted to boot the ball clear from danger but instead her low clearing kick struck Brazilian star Priscila and then captain Parades, before finding the back of the net after just six minutes.
The Brazilian taunted Coll as she ran past her before celebrating with her teammates.
“It is so costly. So sloppy from Spain, they’ve switched off and it’s cost them dearly,” said commentator Vicki Sparks.
Portilho doubled the advantage in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time.
Adriana’s header in the 71st underlined Brazil’s dominance. But with the win seemingly assured, there was far more drama to come.
Salma Paralluelo pulled a goal back for Spain with a header in the 85th and almost immediately Alexia Putellas struck the bar with a shot from outside the area.
Kerolin made it 4-1 — shooting through the Spain goalkeeper’s legs.
Paralluelo got her second in the 12th minute of stoppage time, but by then it was too late for Spain to mount a comeback.
Brazil will play the four-time champion U.S. women’s national team in Saturday’s final at Parc des Princes in Paris.
Spain plays Germany in Lyon for bronze.
Brazil has been twice beaten in an Olympic final by the U.S. — at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
It secured a place in the final for the third time after making amends for a 2-0 loss to Spain in the group phase of the tournament.