Defending champions Brazil secured their place in the Copa América Femenina final and booked a spot at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics with a dominant 5-1 semifinal victory over Uruguay on Tuesday.
Forward Amanda Gutierres scored twice to lead the rout, setting up a tantalizing final against Colombia on Saturday. The match will be a rematch of the 2022 title decider, which Brazil won 1-0 to claim its record eighth continental championship.
The Brazilians, overwhelming favourites heading into the contest, wasted no time asserting their authority. Gutierres opened the scoring in the 11th minute, heading home a precision cross from the legendary Marta. Just two minutes later, Gio Garbelini doubled the lead, reacting quickest to a loose ball in the penalty area to score from close range.
Marta, the team’s iconic captain, effectively settled the contest in the 27th minute when she converted a penalty for her first goal of the tournament, giving Brazil a commanding 3-0 lead at halftime.
Uruguay found a lifeline early in the second half when a defensive mix-up led to an own goal by Brazil’s Isa Haas in the 51st minute. However, any slim hopes of a comeback were extinguished in the 65th minute when Gutierres scored her second of the night with a brilliantly executed free kick. Substitute Dudinha completed the scoring in the 86th minute to cap off the comprehensive victory.
“We are very happy, it is my first final. It is the result of the work we have been doing with the coach,” the 24-year-old Gutierres said after the match. “Colombia are a very tough opponent, but we are working very hard to win that trophy.”
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