By Lucy

Quarter finals of the Olympics, Brazil, a fairly young team that have a lot of fight. They're an attacking team that look for the counter attack and focus on wingplay. They played a 4-4-2 formation today, as they have in every game apart from against Japan. They have never beaten France.

France are the hosts of the tournament, they've ever quite managed to get over the line in tournaments, but they have one of the best attacking lines in the world and can build up play very quickly. They like to play attacking flowing football and like to press.

France started off very quick, as they always like to do, they always look to start strong to display their dominance early on. Brazil showed off their physicality early, trying to win those battles in midfield.

Brazil's players were making good runs forward down the wings, they love getting their fullbacks forward as support. Gabi Nunes showed some excellent skill on the wings, dribbled passed her player and puts a good cross in, Brazil start to look more confident in attack and aren't afraid to put a tackle in.

France get awarded the penalty in the 12th minute, Cascerino was brought down in the box after a challenge from Tarciane, too much contact and Cascerino knows that if she goes down she wins a pen. Her pace was too much for Tarciane and Rafaelle and they were left scrambling.

Karchaoui steps up to take, she's left waiting for 4 minutes whilst the ref sorts everyone out, you can see her routinely taking deep breaths throughout to reassure herself but her penalty ends up being saved.

France would be looking even more to get forward now, trying to turn the momentum of the game in their favour, they start building out from the back, their usual style.

Both teams rely heavily on players coming down the wings and being able to shoot crosses into the box, Brazil players attempting to dribble their way into the box but unable to beat Renard.

France were easily getting bodies forward in attack whereas Brazil were struggling to get bodies back to defend, France progress up the pitch as a unit and make sure they always have options available, they were able to cut Brazil open a few times in the first half but nothing ever came as a result.

Brazil defenders doubling up on French attackers, I imagine a big defensive point was to mak sure they have no room to cross, this is an area France ose the biggest threat, Baltimore was ruthless, always looking for that inch of space to try get the cross off, France always have options in the box and their players are quite good on scoring headers.

Both teams were wasteful on set pieces today, France had more clear chances off freekicks but failed to make anything happen, and corners for both teams were easily headed away.

Brazil constantly trying to get France on the counter attack, quickly turning and driving up the field, trying to catch them out and get attacking players up the pitch. France lost majority of aerial duels today, long balls just weren't coming right and Brazilian players are fantastic in the air, France cheaply gave away possession a few times.

Both teams were eager to get ahead before half time, France have scored early on in all of their previous games in the tournament, they haven't scored a goal after the 49th minute.

 

SECOND HALF

 

Brazil started the second half on the attacking foot, they will be looking to assert themselves more, it took them too long in the first half and didn't really generate that many chances, they have no shots on target and struggled to get out of their half due to the pressure France was applying.

France hadn't been attacking centrally often, but it was a route they started going down in the second half, when they had done it previously, they cut Brazil open, but just struggle in the final third. Brazil will be looking to try something new in attack, they just can't beat Frances defence.

In the 54th minute, after making a last ditch tackle, Rafaelle has to be stretchered off due to injury. She's a massive loss for Brazil, she's a brick wall in defence and is also a target for corners. She dealt with everything that came her way and has a good partnership with Tarciane.

France's defence starts getting sloppy, a mistake from Renard gifts Brazil a golden opportunity, Polinho just drags it wide and is unable to find the right angle.

On the other side of the pitch, French attack is attempting to inject some pace, Brazilian defenders not being given much time on the ball, having to think fast as there's always an opposition player over their shoulder.

France quickly trying to create something, building up from the back and using Cascerino's pace to drive towards the box, Brazil try to slow the game down, gaining back possession and passing the ball around, calming themselves on the ball. France know that if they apply the right amount of pressure, Brazil will crack, their attacking players are ready to fire from all angles.

It all goes wrong very quickly for France, a huge defensive mistake in the 82nd minute, a misplaces pass that was going nowhere, Polinho comes off the back of De Almeida's shoulder and easily slots it in the back of the net, Brazils first shot on target.

France are exerting themselves trying to get a goal, Brazil will be happy to overload on defence and see the game out. It starts getting sloppy and physical from both teams, France make silly mistakes as they're playing frantic, a mistake from Picaud almost see Brazil capitalise again.

In the final minutes of the game, it becomes obvious France let their emotions overpower them, they made foolish mistakes, wasted set pieces and just weren't able to get the upper hand. It's the same tale as it's always been for the French, a great team that just can't get themselves over the line, you start to wonder when it will eventually happen for them. For now, World Champion's Spain await Brazil in the Semi Final.