Brazilian football icon Marta turned the clock back in dazzling fashion, rescuing her side from the brink and powering them to a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout triumph over Colombia to claim their ninth Copa America Femenina title on Saturday. The match took place at the Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado (also known as "Casa Blanca") in Quito, Ecuador
The 39-year-old, widely regarded as one of the greatest women’s footballers of all time, was introduced in the 82nd minute with Brazil trailing. She netted an equaliser in the sixth minute of stoppage time, before adding another in extra time to put Brazil ahead for the first time in the contest.
Colombia, refusing to capitulate, struck back in the 115th minute through Leicy Santos to force a shootout after the match ended 4-4. But Brazil’s goalkeeper Lorena Da Silva turned saviour, stopping two penalties to seal a fifth consecutive title for her nation and extend their continental dominance.
The win marked Brazil’s eighth Copa America title in the past nine editions, pointing to their superiority in South American women’s football.
Angelina Alonso (45’) and Amanda Gutierres (80’) also found the net for Brazil, while defender Tarciane was unfortunate to concede an own goal in the 69th minute.
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Colombia, hosting the final in Quito, led three times in the match with goals from Linda Caicedo (25’), Mayra Ramirez (88’), and Santos (115’), but were pegged back on each occasion in what was one of the most pulsating finals in tournament history.
Gutierres, whose strike was her sixth of the tournament, finished as joint top scorer alongside Paraguay’s Claudia Martinez.
Marta, who has competed in six World Cups and six Olympic Games, has now scored 122 goals in 206 international appearances for Brazil. Her continued influence, even at 39, remains invaluable to a side that finished runners-up to the United States at the Paris Olympics earlier this year.
Brazil’s women’s team, having reached the Olympic final three times and the World Cup final once (2007), remain South America’s most decorated and consistent force on the international stage.
Their victory was also the fourth time they have beaten Colombia in the final, a rivalry that continues to produce football of the highest quality.
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