Hangzhou, China – The way Brazil and sensational striker Marta played, it didn’t matter who was in goal for the United States.
Marta scored two goals and the Brazilians put on a dazzling display of soccer Thursday, outhustling the Americans at nearly every turn to cruise to a 4-0 victory in the Women’s World Cup semifinals.
The Brazilians will play in their first final Sunday against defending champion Germany.
“If you asked me how I do that, I can’t explain,” Marta said, even after watching TV replays of her goals. “Things happen very quickly during the match, and afterward I start thinking, ‘How do I do that?”‘
That’s what American goalie Hope Solo was asking. Angry she was replaced for the critical game in favor of veteran Briana Scurry, Solo lashed out at U.S. coach Greg Ryan.
“It was the wrong decision, and I think anybody that knows anything about the game knows that,” Solo said. “There’s no doubt in my mind I would have made those saves. … You have to live in the present. And you can’t live by big names. You can’t live in the past.”
Ryan defended his decision and Scurry, who made her 164th appearance for the U.S.
“I don’t have any regrets about that,” he said. “I think Bri played a great game.”
Ryan stressed he didn’t think the switch affected the game. And he might have been right.
The Brazilians attacked from the start, and the Americans were unable to keep pace as they had their 51-match unbeaten streak end with their worst loss in a World Cup match.
The opening score came on an own-goal in the 20th minute, when American defender Leslie Osborne headed a corner behind Scurry.
Lucky or not, the Brazilians were off and running and proved to be better in every facet: clever triangulated passes, counterattacks, audacious moves and blistering shots.
“I’ve never seen them play so well,” U.S. striker Abby Wambach said. “They brought all of their heart and all of their soccer to the table.”
The U.S. will play Norway for third place Sunday.
