Sweden Olympic football team have eliminated hosts Brazil 4-3 on penalties at Estadio do Maracana to qualify for the final of the Rio Olympic women football event.
The Swedish team, who lost to Brazil in the group stage, adopted the same defensive tactic that helped to defeat title favourites, USA in the quarter-final (also 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw) to break Marta’s dream of leading her team to the finals in Rio.
Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl made all the difference as she stood tall in penalty kicks to rebuff the Brazilian women’s soccer team’s quest for a gold medal on home soil.
Both Lindahl and Brazilian keeper Barbara made great saves in the second round of penalty kicks, and with the score tied at 3-3 in the fifth round, Brazil’s Andressinha stepped forward to take her kick. She fired a good penalty but Lindahl made the save of her life to deny her.
Brazil will now play the losers of the match between Canada and Germany for the bronze medal.
cpcnews.org 