Six-time World Player of the Year Marta spearheaded Brazil’s thrilling victory over Colombia in the Women’s Copa America final held Sunday morning in Ecuador, securing their ninth title after a dramatic penalty shootout.
At 39 years old, Marta came off the bench to score twice, including a crucial stoppage-time equalizer, as Brazil rallied from behind three times to force a 4-4 draw after regulation and extra time. The match ended 5-4 in Brazil’s favor on penalties.
Introduced in the 82nd minute, Marta netted her first goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time to level the score at 3-3. She then scored again in extra time to give Brazil their first lead of the match at 4-3. However, Colombia’s Leicy Santos equalized in the 115th minute, pushing the game to a shootout.
Goalkeeper Lorena Da Silva emerged as the hero in the shootout, saving two penalties to clinch Brazil’s fifth consecutive Copa America crown and their fourth final victory over Colombia in the past five tournaments.
Marta, a true icon of the sport, has represented Brazil in six World Cups and six Olympic Games, scoring 122 goals in 206 international appearances.
The Brazilian women’s team has now won eight of the nine Copa America tournaments, maintaining their status as the dominant force in South American women’s football. Their best FIFA Women’s World Cup performance came in 2007 when they finished as runners-up, and they have reached the Olympic final three times
