Jamaica Earn Last-16 Debut As Brazil & Marta Go Out1 min read
Jamaica qualified for the knockout stages of the Women’s World Cup for the first time as Brazil went out of the competition in disappointing fashion.
It was a cagey encounter in Melbourne and Jamaica put in a stubborn defensive display to ensure their impressive tournament still has another chapter.
But Brazil, who recalled striker Marta to the starting XI, could not find the goal they needed and failed to progress for the first time in 28 years.
Marta, 37, is the all-time leading scorer in men’s or women’s World Cups with 17 goals but will not feature again, with her sixth tournament in Australia coming to an end having made three group-stage appearances.
After this goalless stalemate, Jamaica could face Colombia or Germany in the last 16, while France go through as Group F winners following their victory over Panama in the other match.
Jamaica put themselves in a strong position when they held group favourites France to a goalless draw and followed it with a crucial 1-0 win over Panama without star striker Khadija Shaw, who was suspended after being sent off in their opening match.
Manchester City’s Shaw returned to the side in Melbourne, adding much-needed threat for Jamaica on the counter-attack.
Former Arsenal centre-back Rafaelle Souza largely kept Shaw at bay, though the Jamaican’s presence alone caused problems and she almost scored with 10 minutes remaining, firing over the bar on the break.
That was Jamaica’s only real chance as Brazil built pressure and searched endlessly for the goal they needed to take them through to the knockout stage.
Marta, who went off to huge cheers after 80 minutes, had a few glimpses at goal, while Debinha, Luana and Tamires all drew saves from Jamaica goalkeeper Becky Spencer.
