Marta Rides Bench in Olympic Final Against USA

PARIS (AP) — In a highly anticipated gold medal match at the Paris Olympics, Brazilian soccer legend Marta did not take the field as a starter against the United States. The six-time world player of the year faced suspension for the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds after receiving a red card during Brazil's group stage finale against Spain. At 38 years old, Marta has confirmed that this tournament will mark her final appearance on the international stage. Despite her absence from the starting lineup, Marta was available as a substitute, while Adriana took on the captaincy for the match. The Brazilian team faced a formidable challenge against the U.S., who have a storied history in Olympic soccer. U.S. coach Emma Hayes made a strategic adjustment to her lineup, opting to start Korbin Albert in place of Rose Lavelle. This decision contributed to the youthful energy of the team, which boasted an average age of 26.7, making it the second youngest U.S. lineup to compete in a gold medal match. The only younger team was the one that played in the 1996 final, which had an average age of 25.8. As the match unfolded, the absence of Marta was felt, underscoring the impact of her experience and skill on the field. The final served as a poignant reminder of her illustrious career and the challenges faced by Brazil in her absence.