Brazil reached the semi-finals by scoring 17 goals in 4 matches from their own group ‘B’. Swedish coach Pia Sandhag’s team did not concede any goals in the group stage. Brazil kept a clean sheet against Paraguay in the semi-finals.
Colombia was the opponent in the final. The venue is Colombia’s home ground, the Estadio Alfonso Perez Stadium. Home ground, spectators—at least mentally Colombia was ahead in the final.
As rich as Brazil’s past history in the women’s Copa America is, today’s final left some worries in the minds of the team’s supporters. For the first time in the last 20 years in a major tournament, the Brazilian women’s national team had to enter the field without two legends Marta and Formiga.
And the girls of Colombia reached the finals without losing any match in the group stage just like Brazil. The thunderous screams of the Colombian fans in the gallery would put pressure on Pia Sandhag’s players—that was natural.
In line with that trend, the colorful celebration of the Colombian fans was seen in the gallery, but after the final whistle there was little smile on their faces. The girls in Colombia couldn’t do the real thing. In the final 1-0 victory, Colombian girls broke the hearts of Brazilian girls who are continental champions for the fourth time in a row! Forward Debinha scored for Brazil from the penalty in the 39th minute of the match.
All in all, the girls of Brazil scored 20 goals in 6 matches in the Copa America.
Adriana Silva-Deborah Olivieri did what Neymar-Vinicius failed to do when they lost to Argentina in the Copa America final at home in July last year. He brought another title to Brazil in this competition of continental excellence. The girls of Colombia reached the final for the third time, but did not meet the title.
31 years ago in 1991, the first women’s Copa America tournament was held in Brazil. Brazil’s women have won eight of the nine tournaments so far. The only exception is 2006 – when the women of Argentina beat Brazil in the final. This time, however, Argentina has to be satisfied with third place.
Team coach Pia Sandhague has made a unique feat by making Brazil the champion this time. No one can ever break this record of his. Sandhage became the first female coach in the history of the women’s Copa America.
Football for girls was once banned in football-mad Brazil. It has been for more than 40 years. After the ban was lifted in 1983, the country’s women’s football gradually prospered. First official match played against USA in 1986. Those Brazilian girls are the most successful in Copa America history.
A total of 140 matches have been held in this women’s tournament since its first edition. Of these, Brazil has won 47 of 50 matches. Two defeats – in 2006 and 2014 against Argentina. The other match was a draw in the 2014 edition against Colombia.
