Marta off as Spain Women beat Brazil in injury-riddled game

Women's Football - Brazil v Spain - Paris Olympic Games 2024 in Bordeaux
Brazil’s Marta with raised foot resulting in red card against Spain at the Olympics. (Richard Callis/SPP)

The last group-stage games at the Paris Olympics included a 2-0 win for Spain over Brazil that saw 30 minutes of stoppage time.

Group A – New Zealand 1-2 France, Colombia 0-1 Canada 

Olympic Games Paris 2024 - Football Women - New Zealand v France - Stade de Lyon
New Zealand and France battle for the ball in Lyon. (Ane Frosaker / SPP)

Marie-Antoinette Katoto scored twice as France topped the group. She first turned in a Sandy Baltimore cross and although Kate Taylor levelled from outside the box close to half time, four minutes after the interval a ball from Sakina Karchaoui was put away by Katoto.

Canada edged Colombia 1-0 to take second place from them, Vanessa Gilles netting with a header on the hour mark from a Jessie Fleming delivery.

Colombia and Canada at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Nice Stadium in Nice on July 31, 2024.
Canada’s Vanessa Gilles celebrates after scoring against Colombia. (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)

Group B – Zambia 1-4 Germany, Australia 1-2 USA

USA made it three wins from three, Trinity Rodman sending them on their way with a tap-in from a Sophia Smith corner. Korbin Albert found the top corner from outside the area, a late consolation coming from Australia’s Alanna Kennedy following a Michelle Heyman header.

group B football match between Australia and the USA of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Marseille Stadium in Marseille on July 31, 2024.
USA’s #20 Croix Bethune fights for the ball with Australia’s #15 Clare Hunt and #17 Clare Wheeler. (Photo by PASCAL GUYOT/AFP via Getty Images)

Germany’s victory over Zambia ensured them second spot in the table, Lea Schüller scoring twice from assists by Klara Bühl, who found the net herself in-between. Barbra Banda pulled a goal back, Elisa Senß making it 4-1 in added time.

women's group B football match between Zambia and Germany during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in Saint-Etienne on July 31, 2024.
Germany’s #07 Lea Schueller is closed down by Zambia’s #05 Pauline Zulu. (Photo by ARNAUD FINISTRE/AFP via Getty Images)

Group C – Japan 3-1 Nigeria, Brazil 0-2 Spain 

Spain finished their group on maximum points, defeating ten-player Brazil who had Marta sent off in first-half stoppage time for a high and dangerous challenge on Olga Carmona. Aethena del Castillo made the breakthrough from close range midway into the second half, Alexia Putellas doubling the advantage 17 minutes into the 20 added on at the end.

women's group C football match between Japan and Nigeria of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at La Beaujoire Stadium in Nantes on July 31, 2024.
Japan’s #11 Mina Tanaka (C) celebrates with #09 Riko Ueki (L) and #17 Maika Hamano after scoring. (Photo by ROMAIN PERROCHEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

Japan saw off Nigeria 3-1 to progress as runners-up, all the goals coming in the first half. Maika Hamano and Mina Tanaka struck from inside the six-yard box, Jennifer Echegini replied from outside the box only for Hikaru Kitagawa to trump that when hitting a free kick into the top corner.

Quarter-finals – Saturday 3 August (KO times BST)

2pm – USA v Japan

4pm – Spain v Colombia

6pm – Canada v Germany

8pm – France v Brazil

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