FT: Team GB 1-0 Brazil
Team GB’s women have had a fantastic Olympic Games so far and they recorded a famous victory against Brazil at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday night.
The favourites were beaten 1-0 by the hosts, with left back Steph Houghton continuing her unbelievable run of form, scoring the only goal in the second minute.
It is Houghton’s third goal in the tournament, meaning she has now scored in every game and is quickly becoming the new golden girl of women’s football.
Despite a missed penalty from Kelly Smith in the second half, Team GB ended up on top of Group E with maximum points and go through to a quarter-final with Canada on Friday at the City of Coventry Stadium in the Midlands.
Dream start
It was imperative for Hope Powell’s glowing team to keep things tight at the back and hope for one potential opportunity which had to be taken.
The start they made couldn’t have been any better.
Just over a minute had been played when Kelly Smith’s corner wasn’t cleared brilliantly by a frail looking Brazilian defence from set pieces.
Karen Carney worked hard to find some space on the right hand side of the field and her pass found Houghton, who kept her balance despite a rash challenge from goalkeeper Andreia, then finished smartly from an acute angle.
Houghton is having the tournament of her life and the almost full Wembley seemed to be very enthusiastic behind the home team; far more than they did for their male counterparts against the UAE last Sunday.
Brazil’s response to that early blow was good but Cristiane couldn’t find the target from two attempts in quick succession. Then, Renata Costa hit the post when she climbed above Alex Smith at the back post.
The momentum was with one of the pre-gold medal favourites but they still looked vulnerable in defending situations.
Golden chance blown
Smith and Carney were linking up well upfront and but for some last ditch defending, Powell’s team could have extended their lead.
They had a golden chance to do that, ten minutes into the second half.
Eniola Aluko was clipped by Francielle and a penalty was rightfully given. Francielle was lucky to see only yellow from the referee, in a game that had some very physical challenges.
Unfortunately, the chance was blown, as Smith’s penalty was disappointing and saved comfortably by Andreia.
Andreia had a good match for Brazil and did very well to keep out Kim Little with 20 minutes left.
As the game wore on, the South Americans faded and seemed content to head to Cardiff for a difficult quarter-final with Japan.
Infront of a massive crowd of nearly 70,000, it was a magnificent victory for Team GB, quite possibly the biggest ever success in women’s football.
With maximum points from the group and no goals conceded, Hope Powell’s side now have to be considered as serious medal contenders.
By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
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