- Marta Viera received a straight red card during Brazil’s 2-0 Olympic defeat against Spain
- Her high-footed entry almost connected with the head of the Spanish Olga Carmona
- The striker is the country’s all-time leading scorer with 117 international goals.
Legendary Brazilian striker Marta left the pitch in tears after receiving a straight red card during her country’s 2-0 defeat to Spain in the women’s Olympic football tournament.
Marta’s quick challenge missed Spanish left-back Olga Carmona, but the referee considered it to be reckless and dangerous, and sent off the Brazilian in the fifth minute of added time in the first half.
Brazil face Spain in a group match at the Olympic Games in Bordeaux, meaning Brazil can only qualify for the quarter-finals of Paris 2024 with one of the best third-place finishes.
Brazilian legend Marta left the field in tears after being shown a red card in an Olympic group match
The 38-year-old forward committed a dangerous foul with her foot on the Spanish Olga Carmona
The challenge caused a stir on social media, with one viewer reposting a replay of the tackle and saying it was more like “a karate kick.”
They were level when Marta was sent off just before half-time, but Spain scored in the 68th minute before sealing their victory in the 17th minute of second-half stoppage time, a great extension after multiple injuries marred the latter stages of the match.
The 38-year-old striker is set to retire from international football this year so is likely to be smarting from the ignominy of a red card as it deprives her of valuable playing time towards the end of her career.
Brazil lost 2-0 to Spain, damaging their hopes of advancing to the women’s tournament
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The moment of madness will not, however, greatly tarnish her international legacy. Marta is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer in both men’s and women’s football.
She is also the top scorer at any World Cup, scoring 17 goals in 23 appearances, across six tournaments, in a career spanning more than 20 years.
She is also a two-time Olympic silver medalist, finishing second behind the United States at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 on both occasions.
