Former Brazil women's soccer coach Alvarez dies at 63

SAO PAULO (AP) - Oswaldo Alvarez, who coached Brazil at the last two Women’s World Cups, died in a Sao Paulo hospital on Monday. He was 63.

Alvarez recently said he was getting treatment for liver cancer.

The Brazil confederation paid tribute to Vadão, as Brazilians knew him, as “a loyal professional who never fell short in his work and brought fundamental results” for the national women’s team.

At the Women’s World Cups, Brazil fell both times in the round of 16: To Australia in 2015 and to France in 2019. Vadão was fired after that loss last July and hadn’t been working since then.

On his watch, Brazil won the Women’s Copa America in 2014 and 2018, the 2015 Pan American Games gold medal, and was fourth at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

He stepped down after those Olympics, but was rehired when his successor, Emily Lima, the first woman to lead the national team, was fired in 2017 by the confederation in a major dispute over wages and respect.

Marta, the captain and six-time world player of the year, wrote on Instagram that Vadão “accomplished his mission with a lot of success.”

“You knew how to live life in a way that was worth it. I am proud to have lived wonderful moments by your side and also to have the chance to learn so much.”

Vadão also coached local clubs Sao Paulo and Corinthians.

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