BORDEAUX: Marta, greatest woman footballer of all time, was sent off in tears as Brazil’s Olympic campaign hung in the balance in a 2-0 defeat by Spain.

Marta, who will retire from international football this year, was sent off for narrowly missing Olga Carmona’s head with a dangerous high-footed tackle during the group stage game in Bordeaux.

Brazil were level when Marta was sent off just before half-time, with Spain scoring in the 68th minute and then the 17th minute of second-half injury time – an extension prompted by multiple injury delays.

Despite the defeat Brazil qualified for Saturday’s quarter-finals as one of two best third-placed teams. They will face hosts France in Nantes albeit without Marta who will be suspended for at least one game.

Marta, 38, won Olympic silver at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, losing to the United States on both occasions.

She is the all-time leading scorer in World Cups, men’s or women’s, with 17 goals in 23 appearances across six tournaments.

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