Brazil's women's soccer team revenge against the U.S.

Updated：2007-07-27 From：Xinhuanet

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Three years after being defeated by the United States in the Athens Olympic Games final, Brazil's women's soccer team had its revenge on Thursday, as it won 5-0 and the Pan American Games' gold medal.

The scenario for the revenge could not be better for the Brazilians. The match was attended by a crowd of almost 60,000 fans in Maracana, Rio's legendary stadium, where the men's soccer team has played landmark matches.

But unlike the men's squad, the Brazilian women had never achieved expressive results, and many considered the U.S. team as a favorite in Thursday's final.

Pushed by the fans, the Brazilians pressured for the goal since the beginning of the match, but the U.S. players were close to scoring in the 12th minute of the first half. But in the 18th minute, team star Marta Silva converted a penalty shot. From then on, the U.S. players seemed to be completely lost.

In a brilliant performance, Brazilians continued to play aggressively, scoring its second goal in the 29th minute, and then three other goals in the second half, as the crowd exulted.

Brazilian team's performance in the Pan Am Games was above all expectations. The team won all of its matches, scored 33 goals and did not let a single goal. These results, analysts said, place Brazil among the strongest contenders for the gold medal in the Beijing Olympics.

Thursday's match has also confirmed Marta as the best player in the world. Marta, who holds FIFA's 2006 World Player of the Year award, scored twice against the U.S. and led the Brazilians to the victory. She scored 12 goals in the Pan Am Games.