The Copa America Femenina final between Colombia and Brazil was a journey of strange calls, inexplicable mistakes, breathtaking goals, perplexing misses, utter heartbreak and pure joy.
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And of course, Marta.
The legendary No. 10 for Brazil came off the bench late in the first half and scored twice — including the equalizer in stoppage time — to lead Brazil to a ninth Copa America title after a 5-4 penalty shootout against the Colombians. Brazil came behind three times to tie it 4-4 after extra time.
Afterward, Marta was looking at the big picture.
“I expected a difficult game, but not with so many emotions. But if we think on the positive side, I think there’s a lot to be gained for all the fans who were here tonight. This is women’s soccer. This is South America. This is Brazil and Colombia. Two of the best national teams in South America. And look at the others too. Look at Argentina, Chile, and Ecuador. Because with each passing day, we can take a step forward in relation to women’s soccer,” she said.
Marta was named the player of the match, because of course she was. A six-time world player of the year who has played in six World Cups and six Olympics, Marta now has 122 goals in 206 games with Brazil. The 39-year-old made her Copa America debut in 2003 at 17 and claimed her fist trophy in the tournament. She now has four titles in the tournament, after also winning in 2010 and 2018.
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She said it was her final Copa America.
“I’m very happy with the title. And excited because it was my last Copa América. Coming into the game like I was, scoring the equalizer, and then another. I missed the penalty that could have ended it, but my teammates are wonderful and they gave us the win,” she said.
Coach Arthur Elias called Marta world football’s “greatest icon.”
“The history of the game made this achievement even more special for me. Seeing the players so emotional at the end of the game, and what happened to Marta today, who represents everything about Brazilian football. I’m privileged to experience this and encourage the players so we can be well prepared in 2027. I’m very excited and confident,” Elias said.
What makes this all the more compelling is that Marta had retired from the national team last year following the Olympics, intending to pass the torch to Brazil’s crop of young talent. But she had one of her best club seasons last year in leading the Orlando Pride to the NWSL championship, prompting her to extend her contract with the team through the 2026 season. Then, during the last international window, Brazil coach Arthur Elias pulled her back in.
Now the question is whether she’ll try to stretc her her comeback to the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Two weeks ago Soccer Monday addressed the issue, quoting Marta from a pre-tournament press conference.
She said a bit more after the victory on Saturday. Her answer? Well, it’s complicated.
“It’s very complicated, but, what I told the coach there after the final whistle was that regardless of whether I’m here or not, I’ll be rooting for these girls. I really believe in this group. I believe in the work, I’ve been doing, and I can’t guarantee it — 2027 is still a little far away. Thankfully, it won’t be at altitude, so that’s already a positive point. But I can’t guarantee it. What I can tell you here: Until then, I don’t plan on stopping. I have one more year on my contract after 2025, one more year with Orlando. But only God knows, right? Because tomorrow I could wake up with a completely different idea than what I have today. Right now, however, I can’t guarantee anything.”
TRINITY RETURNS
The other big story of the weekend was Trinity Rodman’s return to the Spirit. And she didn’t just return, she scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over the Portland Thorns on Sunday morning.
Rodman was on the bench to begin the game before entering to the roar of the crowd at Audi Field in the 76th minute. Rodman had not played since April 12 because of a nagging back issue.
Rodman buried her head in her hands and sobbed after the goal, her first for the Spirit since last Sept. 15.
“That was the hardest thing I’ve had to go through, with the injury and everything. So being back, especially at the home stadium with the crowd behind me, scoring a goal like that, you saw I buried it, was not going to miss it,” she told the broadcast crew afterward. “I’m just really happy to be back. I missed the team, I missed doing what I love, so just joy.”
The win temporarily moved the Spirit into second place in the standings, but the Pride reclaimed it a few hours later with a 1-1 draw at home with the Utah Royals.
LINKS
Ally Sentnor traded from Royals to the Current in blockbuster trade this weekend.
Sad: FC Tucson women’s coach dies of cardiac arrest at 43.
England’s women are attracting fan’s of the men’s team.
Infantino says important steps are taken for Afghan women’s football.
The BBC on the criticism of CONMEBOL’s organization of the Copa America
Ella Toone reveals her grandma died before the Euros final.
Wiegman tells UK government women’s football needs more investment.
Progress for women’s football is uneven
WAFCON shows problems within African women’s football.
As the Lionesses roared, Nigeria made history.
The Athletic with a cool story on the rise of away fans in women’s soccer.
The Guardian looked at the launches of the NWSL’s 2026 expansion teams.
CBS with the NWSL midseason check-in.
NWSL sees record growth as international stars return.
The Equalizer with a nice feature on Aubrey Kingsbury
All for XI with the NWSL’s midseason report card.
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On a personal note, I did a bunch of soccer stories — on both the men’s and women’s side — this summer between weddings and a family reunion in Montana (which is why I missed last week). Here are three stories I was proud of. I always appreciate clicks, because it shows AP that readers care about women’s soccer.
I wrote about workload in elite women’s soccer. This was a bigger project.
Wrote about Marta coming out of retirement at the start of the Copa America
I wrote about Nigeria’s Mission X
| Mondays: Soccer |
| By: Annie Peterson, @AnnieMPeterson, AP Women’s Soccer |
| Tuesdays: Tennis |
| By: Joey Dillon, @JoeyDillon, Freelance Tennis Writer |
| Wednesdays: Basketball |
| By: Howard Megdal, @HowardMegdal, The Next |
| Thursdays: Golf |
| By: Marin Dremock, @MDremock, The IX |
| Fridays: Hockey |
| By: @TheIceGarden, The Ice Garden |
| Saturdays: Gymnastics |
| By: Lela Moore, @runlelarun, Freelance Writer |
