The final match of the 2024 Olympic quarter-final saw France go head-to-head with Brazil, but unfortunately the host nation went home empty handed after Gabi Portilho put the Brazilians ahead.
The last time both sides faced each other was during the FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup when France took the lead, with captain Wendie Renard scoring the second goal in a 2-1 victory.
How the teams lined up:
Both teams opted for a new formation featuring a strong back-line.
Brazil opted for a 4-4-2 formation, making 7 changes since their previous Olympic fixture against Spain. The most noticeable change was the absence of Marta after she received a straight red card in the previous game due to a high kick that clipped Olga Carmona on the head.
France opted for a 4-1-2-3 formation, making 3 changes since their previous Olympic fixture against New Zealand. Wendie Renard was back in the captain’s armband after she was missing from the Starting XI against New Zealand.
First Half Drama:
The game opened with a yellow card for Brazil within the first 20 seconds of the whistle being blown. A poorly timed high kick from Jheniffer gave France their first opportunity to get the ball into the box as a free kick was gifted just below the half-way line. Bacha’s ball managed to make it into the possession of the Brazil defence who effortlessly guided the ball away.
However, this was only the beginning of what was set to be a drama-filled game. France were awarded a penalty 11 minutes into the game after centre-back Cascarino was brought down by Tarcaine. During a lengthy five-minute delay, a VAR check was carried out for a possible offside, but the penalty was granted. Karchaoui stood to take the penalty, aiming for the bottom left corner but Lorena dived to make the save.
A lack of chances created by both sides meant the game remained rigid for the majority of the first half.
The first clear-cut chance arose for Brazil in the 28th minute after Rafaelle attempted an overhead kick within the penalty box. France added another yellow card to their tally for the tournament after Katoto took Vitoria down in a tackle. Duda Sampaio took the free-kick, gliding the ball into the centre of the penalty box where Rafaelle was waiting. The Brazilian made a weak connection to the ball, but a lack of power meant France were able to clear the shot.
6 minutes of added time was granted, but the game remained goalless at the break.
Second Half Success:
Brazil opened the second half of the game in control, gaining the most possession of the ball, however France quickly gathered momentum with Bacha and Cascarina creating several chances.
A pause in play was witnessed two minutes into the second half after Rafaelle went down for treatment. Physio were quick to arrive with treatment being administered to the captain’s ankle. Rafaelle enters play once again but was shortly stretchered off after going down again in the 50th minute. This pause in play saw the first substitution of the game after Tamires was brought on in replacement for Rafaelle.
Brazil finally found an opportunity to break the deadlock in the 82nd minute. A minor mishap from France saw the lack of ability to defend Thais’ throw-in which led to a through ball from Adriana, meeting Portilho outside of the 18-yard mark. The striker was left to make a 1-v-1 run against Picaud but her right-footed strike fired the ball into the net.
The unexpected, late opener from Brazil saw France throw everything at their opponents in the final minutes of the game, but this led to no avail.
A torturous 16 minutes of stoppage time was announced but France were unable to create any chances.
Result:
The host nation have exited the tournament empty-handed despite their efforts.
Brazil are through to the semi-finals which will see them take on Spain once again in a battle to gain a place in the final.
Starting XIs:
France: Picaud (GK), De Almeida, Mbock, Renard [C], Bacha, Toletti, Karchaoui, Geyoro, D. Cascarino, Baltimore, Katoto
Brazil: Lorena (GK), Thais, Tarciane, Rafaelle [C], Yasmim, Adriana, Duda Sampaio, Ana Vitoria, Gabi Portilho, Jheniffer, Gabi Nunes
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