Marta, a six-time winner of the world player of the year award. Brazil secured their ninth women’s Copa America title by defeating Colombia in a penalty shootout during Saturday’s final. Marta, who came off the bench, scored two crucial goals, including an equalizer in stoppage time, helping Brazil come back three times before the match ended 4-4 after 90 minutes and extra time. Marta was subbed in at the 82nd minute and scored in the sixth minute of stoppage time to tie the game at 3-3. She then put Brazil ahead 4-3 during extra time, but Leicy Santos equalized for Colombia in the 115th minute, forcing the match into penalties. Goalkeeper Lorena Da Silva made two crucial saves in the penalty shootout, securing Brazil’s fifth consecutive title and marking their fourth victory over Colombia in the last five finals. Marta, who has participated in six World Cups and six Olympics, has scored 122 goals in 206 appearances for Brazil. The Brazilian women’s team has claimed eight out of nine women’s Copa America titles, earning a reputation as the top team in South America. Their highest achievement at the FIFA women’s World Cup was finishing as runners-up in 2007, and they have reached the Olympic final three times. Meanwhile, last Saturday, Africa crowned its own champions in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where Nigeria’s Super Falcons triumphed over the host nation, Morocco, in the final. After trailing 2-0 in the first half, the Super Falcons rallied in the second half with goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi, and Jennifer Echegini. This victory marked the team’s 10th WAFCON title and their first since their win in 2018 in Ghana.
