Brazil great Marta goes off in tears after red card

Brazil great Marta goes off in tears after red card

Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer Marta walked off the pitch in tears after being shown a straight red card during their 2-0 defeat by Spain in the Olympic women’s football tournament.

Marta, who will retire from international football this year, was sent off for narrowly missing Olga Carmona’s head with a dangerous high-footed tackle during the Group C match in Bordeaux.

Her hopes of appearing again in the tournament now rest on whether Brazil make it through their quarter-final tie against hosts France, after the Selecao advanced as one of the best third-placed sides.

Brazil were level when Marta was sent off just before half-time, with Spain, scoring in the 68th minute and then the 17th minute of second-half injury time – an extension prompted by multiple injury delays – to maintain their 100% record.

Marta, 38, won Olympic silver at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, losing to the United States on both occasions.

She is the all-time leading scorer in World Cups, men’s or women’s, with 17 goals in 23 appearances across six tournaments.

The United States maintained their perfect start to the competition with a 2-1 victory over Australia to top Group B and set up a meeting with Japan in the quarter-finals.

Goals either side of half-time by Trinity Rodman and substitute Korbin Albert put Emma Hayes’ side firmly in control, although a late Alanna Kennedy effort ensured a nervy finale.

The US, who are record four-time gold medallists in the competition will face Japan in a repeat of the final from London 2012, at the Parc des Princes, Paris on Saturday at 14:00 BST.

Japan finished second behind Spain in Group C after beating Nigeria 3-1 in Nantes.

Reigning Olympic champions Canada also qualified for the knockout stage with a 1-0 win over Colombia, despite losing an appeal for a six-point deduction.

France topped Group A with a 2-1 victory over New Zealand.

Quarter-final fixtures

Saturday, 3 August:

14:00: United States v Japan, Paris

16:00: Spain v Colombia, Lyon

18:00: Canada v Germany, Marseille

20:00: France v Brazil, Nantes

All kick-off times are BST

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