Agile, with sharp reflexes and great elasticity. These are just a few of the many qualities of 27-year-old goalkeeper Lorena. Praised during the Paris Olympics, she was essential in securing the silver medal for the Brazilian National Team and was emotional when talking about the achievement.
“Our team wanted to place Brazil at the top of the podium, but I am very happy with this medal. I returned from such a serious injury and, thank God, I was able to have a great Olympics. Regardless of the color of this medal, I am an Olympic medalist, and that makes me very happy,” she stated.
“I worked for a long time, many years, to have the opportunity to wear the Brazilian National Team jersey and to be able to showcase my full potential on the field. I am proud of myself and all the overcoming I had to do to play each game here, and I am very happy to have helped Brazil get here,” she added.
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Lorena came to the Olympics after missing the 2023 World Cup in Australia due to an injury to her left knee’s anterior cruciate ligament, which required surgery.
She was out of regular activities for 11 months and only returned to the field in February. In April, she was called up by Arthur Elias for the SheBelieves Cup.
In that tournament, the National Team finished in third place after a match against Japan, where Lorena saved four penalties (one in regular time and the other three during the shootout to determine the bronze medal winner).
Lauded by international critics for her performance in France, Lorena maintains her simple demeanor. She attributes her achievements to teamwork and, of course, to her dedication in training.
She always likes to share the success of her work and repeatedly mentions the Brazilian National Team’s goalkeeping coach, Edson Alcantara, as one of the main reasons for her performance.
She also associates her excellent form with training sessions in both Teresópolis (RJ) and France with the other goalkeepers of the National Team: Tainá and Luciana, and Natascha, who joined the group for activities in the mountainous city before the trip to the Olympics.
In Brazil’s debut against Nigeria, the game was tied when Lorena made a stunning save on a one-on-one shot from an African striker. Shortly after, the Brazilian National Team would win 1-0.
In the second game against Japan, the score was also tied when a penalty was awarded to the Asian team. Lorena saved the penalty. Later, Brazil took the lead but allowed two goals in stoppage time, one of which was a penalty.
Against Spain, in the final group stage match, there were two setbacks—Marta’s expulsion in the first half and then Antônia’s leg fracture when all substitutions had already been made.
This meant Brazil played practically the last 20 minutes with nine players. They were defeated 2-0, thanks to Lorena, who made at least four difficult saves. If the National Team had conceded one more goal, they would have been eliminated from the Olympics.
In the knockout stage opener against France in Nantes, with a packed stadium, the home team started aggressively and soon earned a penalty in a challenge between Tarciane and a French striker. Lorena saved the penalty again and made several other crucial interventions throughout the match, ensuring Brazil’s 1-0 victory.
On Tuesday (6), in a clash with the current world champions, Spain, Lorena excelled again with four bold saves. With an engaging playing style, Brazil created many more chances than their opponents and won 4-2 deservedly.
