History was set in the Olympics when Brazil played their opener match against China on July 21st in Rifu, Japan. 43 year old Miraldes Maciel Mota, also known as Formiga, became the first women's player to take part in 7 Olympic Games after playing 72 minutes in the match against the Chinese. The Sao Paolo midfielder, who currently has 201 caps for her national team, made her Brazil debut at the 1995 World Cup as a 17-year-old and has played in every Olympic Games since women's football made its debut at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
Having won silver at both the 2004 and 2008 Games, Formiga is looking to finally win that gold medal which has so far been out of the Brazilians reach. Her teammate, Marta Vieira Da Silva also made history after becoming the first player to score in five straight Olympics. Marta scored a brace as Brazil edged out the Chinese, 5 goals to nil.
A six-time FIFA Player of the Year, Marta has 111 international goals, more than any Brazilian player, male or female. Brazil was playing its first major tournament under Pia Sundhage, the former coach of both the U.S. and Swedish women. Sundhage coached the U.S. team that won the gold medal at the 2012 London Games.