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PARIS — Marta fought back tears as she exited the Olympic stage one last time. After 185 appearances, including six World Cups and six Olympics, the Brazil great had one more shot at a major international title. Olympic gold eluded her to the end. At the age of 38, Marta has said the Paris Games would be her last major tournament with the national team. There was to be no perfect ending for a player who has been a flag-bearer for the women's game — a 1-0 defeat to the United States in the Olympic final consigning her to silver once again. It will have been an all-too familiar feeling for the six-time world player of the year. Brazil had lost twice before to the U.S. in the Olympic final.
