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Rafaelle captains Brazil to Copa America title

Rafaelle Souza lifts the Copa America Femenina trophy

Rafaelle Souza captained Brazil to the Copa America Femenina title on Sunday, as her side beat Colombia to claim their fourth successive continental crown.

Our defender played all 90 minutes of the final against the host nation, which was decided by a first-half penalty from Debinha, and ensured that Rafaelle’s side didn’t concede a single goal throughout their six-game route to the championship.

Her tournament began with a 4-0 win against Argentina, which was followed by a 3-0 success over Uruguay. Another convincing 4-0 triumph over Venezuela secured qualification to the semi-finals with a game to spare, allowing Rafaelle to be rested for a 6-0 crushing of Peru in the final group game.

As expected, she returned to the starting line-up to help see off Paraguay 2-0 in the semi-finals, before playing all 90 minutes in the showpiece which ended with her lifting the silverware.

It is the second time the 30-year-old has won the competition having also won the 2018 edition, and sets up a meeting with Leah Williamson’s England in the UEFA–CONMEBOL Women's Finalissima later this year as the two captains go head-to-head to clinch the inaugural title.