Known simply by her first name, Marta Vieira da Silva won fans all over Brazil during the Olympic tournament.

Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl celebrates after stopping a shoot by Brazil's Andressa on penalty kicks during a semi-final match of the women's Olympic football tournament between Brazil and Sweden at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro Aug. 16, 2016.

Sweden will face Germany, which beat Canada 2-0, on Friday. Undefeated Canada was taking on a weakened German side, hoping to move on to the gold medal match.

The best Walsh Jennings and her partner, April Ross, can do is a bronze medal when they play Brazil's other women's team on Wednesday.

Brazil coach Vadao also refused to criticise Sweden's approach, but called on Marta, Cristiane and 38-year-old Formiga to remain with the national team to continue with the momentum built up for women's football in Brazil over the course of the Games. "The result has to be a gold because that's a need for women's football".

With less than 20 minutes remaining in regulation, Marta got free on the right side of the field and was able to get on her left foot for a shot. Sweden won against Brazil at the penalty shoot-out.

Speaking of Tuesday's performance, Marta said: "We didn't lack opportunities".

"Nothing will take the shine off the work we did during the whole year", Marta told SporTV. Dahlqvist stepped up and scored, sending Sweden to the gold medal match.

Marta had another brilliant game for Brazil but alas it wasn't enough. Source Getty Images

"But still we are not satisfied as we want to win the next game".

Both teams had their chances in the opening 90 minutes, and the intensity rose as the defensive-minded Swedes started going on the attack more. In the quarterfinals, the Swedes knocked No. 1 United States out of medal contention for the first time.

Sweden deployed a defensive strategy against the US and advanced 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in Brasilia. But a gold in Rio de Janeiro in the temple of Brazilian soccer would have been particularly sweet -- and would have boosted the women's game in Brazil, which has often lacked official support.

Marta has scored 104 goals in 107 worldwide appearances.

Brazil desperately wanted to use its speed to break behind Sweden's back line, time and again hitting long diagonal passes to runs created to stretch and slip behind the defense.

"What people are saying in the media, it's not a big deal".

"I think that's all", Lindahl said. They only talk about women's football when the World Cup and Olympics come around. She has 10 Olympic goals, tying her for third on the career list with Abby Wambach of the U.S. They will be anxious for a different outcome as they look to make up for their semi-final defeat, having lost 4-3 on penalties to Sweden after a goalless draw. "So I'm very aware that we have to pay extra attention to her".