Brazil Secures 9th Copa América Femenina Title, But Players Demand More

Saturday night delivered another thrilling football showdown with the Copa América Femenina finals taking place in Ecuador. Brazil and Colombia fought in a heated match that ended in extra time and a penalty shoot-out. But the night wasn't all goals and glory; it was also a sobering reminder of the inequality still plaguing women's football.

Colombia took the lead three times, only for Brazil to return with their own goals, including a 96th-minute equalizer from Marta Vieira da Silva. The 39-year-old, Brazilian legend came out of retirement for the competition and helped to lead the team to victory. She struck again at 105 minutes only for Colombia to match Brazil's resilience to level the game into penalties. After seven rounds, Brazil edged out a 5-4 victory, cementing Marta's legacy.

The tournament's fairytale ending, however, was not without low points. The backstage story has stirred some strong reactions, with players speaking out about the glaring disparities between their experience and that of the recent Women's Euros tournament. Marta came out to question why teams were forced to warm up in confined indoor spaces rather than on the pitch. Manchester City's Brazil forward Kerolin shared on her X account, "While at the Euros they are breaking records in technology, we are warming up in a room with a maximum of 20 square meters, smelling of paint."

It's a stark contrast. While attendance, viewership and support for the women's game continue to rise globally, this tournament exposed how much further the sport needs to go, especially in South America.

With Brazil set to host the 2027 Women's World Cup, the pressure is on. These players are not just athletes, but advocates pushing for a better future for women's football. Hopefully, with the world watching, organizers will listen.

In other sports news, read about the WNBA player calling out a toxic fandom trend.

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