VIDEO: Marta sent off! Brazil icon left in tears after being shown Olympics red card for rash challenge - thrusting international career into doubt

With the scores goalless in first-half stoppage time during Wednesday's encounter, Marta flew into a challenge with Olga Carmona with her boot raised way too high, leaving the referee with no choice but to brandish a red card. The 38-year-old didn't react angrily to the decision, perhaps understanding straight away that she had little argument, but was still left distraught given it could have been her final game for Brazil.

Marta announced earlier this year that she would retire from international duty in 2024, making the Olympic Games her final major tournament in Brazil's famous colours. As a result, her career at this level hangs in the balance as she will not be available for the Olympic quarter-finals, meaning the South American champions would need to progress to the semi-finals for her to feature again. Whether she will play beyond the tournament is also unclear, as no official date of her retirement has been confirmed.

Marta came into this Olympics with the potential to hit two big milestones. Should she score a goal at Paris 2024, she would become the first man or woman to score at six successful Olympics while also tying the record for the most goals overall at the women's tournament. The chance to achieve those feats could well be gone now.

In the next few days, the Selecao will have the length of their captain's suspension confirmed, with it possible that it could be more than just one game. In the meantime, Arthur Elias' side will hope to stay in the tournament long enough to ensure Marta can return to action once that ban has been served.