Magic end for Marta or stunning start for Hayes? Olympics delivers perfect final

“IIt’s wanting more. It’s training more. It’s taking better care of yourself. It’s being ready to play 90 plus 30 minutes. That’s what I ask of the girls. There won’t be a Formiga forever. There won’t be a Marta forever. There won’t be a Cristiane forever. The women’s game depends on you to survive. Think about that. Appreciate it more. Cry at the beginning so you can laugh at the end.”

In June 2019, Brazil’s captain and all-round pioneer, Marta, stood distraught on the sidelines of a pitch in Le Havre. As cameras closed in after Brazil had suffered another early defeat on the world stage – beaten in extra time by hosts France in the World Cup last 16 – she launched into an impassioned speech to her country’s next generation that captured global attention.

Five years later and almost 500 miles to the south, the cameras focused on Marta again. This time it was tears of joy as she watched her country’s new generation battle against the odds to reach their first major final since 2008. With their captain watching from the stands, Brazil outplayed Spain, beating the world champions 4-2 to set up an Olympic final with the USA in Paris.

Seven days earlier, it had looked as if Marta’s glittering 201-cap international career had come to a heartbreaking end. Deep into first-half injury time in their group-stage clash against Spain, she was shown a straight red card for a high foul on Olga Carmona. It was a resounding dismissal, and the realization that it could be her final international appearance swept across the Brazilian’s distraught face in almost slow motion.

However, Marta has a team of players behind her that she can now rely on. In her absence and despite significant injury problems, they have paved their way to the gold medal match. It has not always been pretty for Arthur Elias’ side at this tournament. After two group stage defeats, to Spain and Japan, they were competing as the second-best third-placed side, but they have since grown in confidence, beating France and Spain to ensure that their captain can return one last time and guarantee at least a silver medal.

Brazil impressed in the semi-final, beating a team that many had considered favourites to win the tournament. Despite being plagued by injuries and tired – like every team in this competition – Brazil could and should have inflicted a heavier defeat on opponents that were all over the place defensively.

Combining a World Cup win with an Olympic gold medal is notoriously difficult. It has never been done before, despite the dominance of the US. Spain looked tired and vulnerable, a sign that the gruelling nature of this tournament and the amount of football they have played over the past two years is starting to take its toll. Champions can only salvage victories for so long and there are warning signs that Montse Tomé’s team have not been at their peak for some time. Defeats to Italy and the Czech Republic in the past 12 months have been masked by success in the Nations League and qualification for Euro 2025, but hinted that there could be a chink in their seemingly indestructible armour.

This Olympic competition was a real grind to the finish. A gruelling schedule saw teams play a game every three days, with four of the six knockout matches going to extra time. Brazil and the US survived mostly through sheer force of will, digging deeper into their energy reserves than their opponents.

Emma Hayes has led the US to a first major final since winning in France in 2019, a remarkable feat for a manager who has been in charge for two months, but they have dragged themselves through the exhaustion. After Sophia Smith found a burst of pace to score their winning goal against Germany in extra time, she sank to her knees and admitted to the media she was too tired to celebrate.

The visible fatigue and growing casualty list have raised fresh questions about what the Olympic tournament should look like. The answer could be a significant change or minor tweaks to the format. Larger squads (the 18-plus-four-substitute limit is unfit for purpose) and knockout matches that go straight to penalties seem like logical changes that could reduce the pressure and risk of injury.

But for now, the focus is on the finish line in Paris on Saturday. Fairytales rarely happen in football, but in this encounter there is a chance for two perfect scripts to be written. Will it be the golden farewell for one of the greatest players women’s football has ever seen? Or the ideal start for a manager at the beginning of her journey in international football?

Discussion points

Gustavsson bids farewell to Australia: Tony Gustavsson has stepped down as manager of the Matildas after four years. The Swede stepped down after his team’s disappointing exit in the group stage of the Olympic Games, having failed to live up to their strong performance at last year’s World Cup. “It has been a great honour and privilege to be head coach of the Matildas for the past four years,” said Gustavsson. “This journey with the team has created many incredible moments and memories that I will cherish forever.”

UEFA presents new Champions League format: The format for the Women’s Champions League, which will be introduced for the 2025-26 season, has been confirmed. It will mirror the men’s tournament, although the single competition will feature 18 teams. There will also be a new second competition, which will give more clubs the chance to compete on the European stage.

Kearns leaves Liverpool: With the summer transfer window in full swing, one move came as a surprise when Aston Villa announced the signing of Missy Bo Kearns. The 23-year-old midfielder is a lifelong Liverpool fan, having been at the club since she was eight. However, limited minutes last season dashed her hopes of breaking into the England team and contributed to her decision to leave.

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Trinity Rodman found a moment of qualityafter a great pass from Crystal Dunn, which sent the US through to the semi-finals of the Olympic Games.

Quote of the week

I don’t care. I want a drink” – Emma Hayes on whether she wanted her U.S. team to face Spain in the battle for gold at the Olympics.

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Southampton’s new manager Remi Allen, who is 33 but has been in coaching for more than 15 years, discusses her journey with Tom Garry.

Manchester United are on the verge of signing Canadian international Simi Awujo and have made their intentions known by signing Anna Sandberg.

Joey Lynch explains why Gustavsson’s departure from Matildas was in the best interests of all parties.

And Manchester City are confident they have made a “fantastic addition” to their squad with the arrival of Japanese striker Aoba Fujino.