If the Brazilian National Team has qualified for the knockout stage, eliminated France, and reached the final of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, much of this result is due to the outstanding performances of goalkeeper Lorena. She has been a true wall throughout the competition and was again decisive on Tuesday (6) against Spain at the Vélodrome in Marseille. The Brazilian team defeated the Europeans 4-2, securing a spot in the gold medal match.
With an introverted way of expressing herself, her shyness in words is camouflaged by her dominance and authority in goal. Against the Spaniards, the current world champions, the Grêmio goalkeeper had to make several saves throughout the game to ensure the team’s place in the final.
READ MORE
++ Brazil are the second team with the most final appearances in Olympic women’s football
++ The strong 10-year friendship between Brazilian stars Neymar and Gabriel Medina
++ Recapping the last 10 clashes between USA and Brazil in women’s football
“I am very happy to be able to deliver my best; I am giving my all in every game. I worked hard to reach this moment. My teammates, Tainá and Luciana, and our goalkeeper coach, Edson Junior, help me a lot with all their support. I can only thank God for providing me with these moments,” she expressed.
For this Tuesday’s match, coach Arthur Elias did not have Antônia and Thamires available, as they were injured and out of the Olympics, nor Marta, who was suspended for two games after being sent off against Spain in the group stage. With these absences, Lorena stated that the players on the field also played for their missing teammates.
“We played for Marta, who unfortunately couldn’t be with us due to the red card, and for all the girls who were injured. I think this strengthened our group, and today we put our heart on the tip of our boots. Everyone gave their all on the field; we put our foot on the ball. I’m sure we put on a show for those watching the game,” she said.
With 28 matches for the National Team and 24 goals conceded, Lorena has already established herself as one of the country’s great goalkeepers. She was close to being called up for the Women’s World Cup in 2023 if it weren’t for a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament of her left knee. A year after the injury, she regained her high level and returned as one of the team’s key players.
“My mind hasn’t fully processed it, to be honest. It feels like I’m living a dream. I’ve always dreamed of these moments, of competing in major championships for the National Team. Now it’s time to celebrate a lot because we played an amazing game and prepare to give everything again in the final, which will also be a great match,” she celebrated.
Competing in the final for the chance at a gold medal is a childhood dream for Lorena, who revealed that she watched the final in Beijing 2008 when she was only 11 years old. While following the National Team’s games, she told her grandmother that one day it would be her playing for Brazil.
“If I’m not mistaken, I watched the game, but I was very young. My grandmother tells me that during the few games broadcast on television, I would tell her that I wanted to be there, that one day she would see me playing for the National Team. And now, that is happening; it’s the realization of a personal dream,” she shared.
