Hosts Brazil were agonisingly denied a place in the final of the women s football tournament at Rio 2016, courtesy of a penalty shoot-out defeat to Sweden.
Despite being on the front foot for the vast majority of Tuesday s match at the Maracana, Brazil were unable to break the deadlock against a team they beat 5-1 in the group stage.
After 120 minutes of goalless action, Sweden ran out 4-3 winners on penalties. Pia Sundhage s team will now face Germany, 2-0 winners over Canada, in Friday s final.
Silver medallists at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, Brazil had high hopes of going one better on home soil, particularly after Sweden eliminated two-time reigning champions the United States in the last eight.
That win also came in a shoot-out, the approach of Sundhage s side bringing condemnation from USA goalkeeper Hope Solo, who branded Sweden a bunch of cowards .
Sweden were again content to sit deep and get bodies behind the ball on Tuesday and their defensive solidity was ultimately rewarded.
Cristiane of Brazil and Sweden s Kosovare Asllani saw penalties saved in the shoot-out, before the fifth round of kicks proved decisive.
Hedvig Lindahl dived to her right to deny Andressa Alves, meaning Lisa Dahlkvist s subsequent conversion was enough to knock Brazil out.
A penalty put Germany on course for victory the day s second semi, Melanie Behringer powering home from 12 yards in the 21st minute after Kadeisha Buchanan had been penalised for a foul on Alexandra Popp.
Sara Dabritz doubled Germany s lead just before the hour mark, taking a touch with her left foot before firing home a low right-footed shot from the edge of the box.
