Women’s Soccer:
US Women’s team overcame powerful Brazil by a close score of 1-0 and earned its third gold medal in four Games.
In a contest where both sides played rather cautiously, the USA was the lucky to get one in extra time.
The US were outplayed and overwhelmed for most of the night, but Carli Lloyd scored in the 96th minute to give the US the victory.
Brazilian coach Jorge Barcellos summarized his team’s misery: “We didn’t win a silver medal tonight; we lost a gold one.”
USA: Solo, Mitts, Rampone, Markgraf, Chalupny, Tarpley, Boxx, O’Reilly, Lloyd, Hucles, Rodriguez
Brazil: Barbara, Simone, Tania, Costa, Skarbo, Maycon, Daniela, Formiga, Ester, Marta, Cristiane
Mens Soccer:
Brazil beat Belgium 0-3 and won the bronze medal, little consolation for their loss to Argentina .
Diego opened the scoring in the 27th minute on a cross from Rafinha. Jo added one his own at the 45th minute and added a second goal in injury time.
Brazil was mostly in control, but Belgium had a few good chances of their own. Belgium’s Maarten Martens and Thomas Vermaelen came dangerously close to scoring, but could not convert.
Brazil once again came away empty in their quest for Olympic gold. They already have another bronze from Atlanta in 1996 and two silver medals from the 1984 and 1988 Olympics.
Ronaldinho said: “The bronze medal may not be important from the Brazilian’s point of view right now but in the future we will be proud.”
Brazil: Renan, Rafinha, Silva, Marcelo, Breno, Hernanes, Anderson, Ronaldhino, Ramires, Diego, Jo
Belgium: Bailly, De Roover, Vermaelen, Pocognoli, Simaeys, Haroun, Vertonghen, Martens, De Mul, Mirallas, Dembele
