Women's World Cup: Jamaica reach last-16 stage for first time as Brazil fall early

Women's World Cup: Jamaica reach last-16 stage for first time as Brazil fall early

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 defy the odds as Marta bows out

_130615113_gettyimages-1571664247.jpgJamaica had two draws and a win in the group stages as they remained unbeaten

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.

_130615107_gettyimages-1587247454.jpgMarta competed in her sixth World Cup but could not extend her record tally of 17 goals in the competition

But Brazil were predictable and lacklustre, struggling to break down Jamaica's well-organised defence and offering very little in a desperate fight to stay in Australia.

They almost found a golden touch in the third minute of second-half stoppage time when substitute Andressa pounced on a scramble in the box, but Spencer was again equal to it and Brazil's substitutes fell to their knees in despair in the dugout.

It is a disappointing early exit for the South American champions who took their European counterparts England to a penalty shootout in the Women's Finalissima at Wembley in April and had high hopes coming into the World Cup.

Jamaica, meanwhile, have kept three clean sheets in the group stage and have proven they are more than a match for some of the world's higher-ranked nations. There was an outpouring of emotion at full-time as the magnitude of their achievements became clear.

Their journey to Australia and New Zealand was marred by a battle with their own federation - the Reggae Girlz wrote an open letter calling for "immediate and systematic change" - and their success will give them a greater voice.

Line-ups

Jamaica

Formation 4-1-4-1

13Spencer

19Wiltshire17Swaby4Swaby14Blackwood

3Sampson

21Matthews20Primus8Spence10Brown

11Shaw

13Spencer19Wiltshire17Swaby4Swaby14Blackwood3Sampson21MatthewsBooked at 30minsSubstituted forCameronat 45'minutes20Primus8Spence10BrownSubstituted forWashingtonat 85'minutes11Shaw

Substitutes

1Schneider2Washington5Plummer6Solaun7McNamara9Simmonds12van Zanten15Cameron16Bailey-Gayle18Carter22McKenna23Brooks

Brazil

Formation 4-4-2

12Izidoro Lima da Silva

2da Costa Silva3Sousa Feitoza4Leone Carvalho de Souza6Dias de Britto

17Alves Borges21Israel Ferraz5Bertolucci Paixão11Leal da Silva

10Vieira da Silva Veiga9de Oliveira

12Izidoro Lima da Silva2da Costa SilvaSubstituted forda Silva Ferreiraat 81'minutes3Sousa Feitoza4Leone Carvalho de Souza6Dias de Britto17Alves BorgesSubstituted forZaneratto Joãoat 45'minutes21Israel Ferraz5Bertolucci PaixãoSubstituted forFerreira Sampaioat 81'minutes11Leal da Silva10Vieira da Silva VeigaSubstituted forAlves da Silvaat 81'minutes9de Oliveira

Substitutes

1do Monte Barbosa7Alves da Silva8Angélica Kliemaschewsk de Araújo13Santos Nhaia14Leal Costa15Ferreira Sampaio16Zaneratto João18da Silva Ferreira19Hickmann Alves20Alonso Costantino22Gomes Rodrigues23Nunes da SilvaReferee:Esther StaubliAttendance:27,638

Live Text

Match ends, Jamaica 0, Brazil 0.

Second Half ends, Jamaica 0, Brazil 0.

Attempt saved. Debinha (Brazil) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.

Attempt blocked. Bia Zaneratto (Brazil) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.

Corner, Brazil. Conceded by Chantelle Swaby.

Attempt blocked. Solai Washington (Jamaica) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Drew Spence.

Attempt saved. Andressa Alves (Brazil) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner.

Kerolin (Brazil) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Foul by Solai Washington (Jamaica).

Substitution, Jamaica. Solai Washington replaces Jody Brown because of an injury.

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Delay in match because of an injury Jody Brown (Jamaica).

Attempt missed. Geyse Ferreira (Brazil) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Bia Zaneratto.

Attempt missed. Khadija Shaw (Jamaica) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Atlanta Primus following a fast break.

Substitution, Brazil. Duda Sampaio replaces Luana.

Substitution, Brazil. Andressa Alves replaces Marta.

Substitution, Brazil. Geyse Ferreira replaces Antônia.

Atlanta Primus (Jamaica) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Offside, Brazil. Adriana tries a through ball, but Debinha is caught offside.

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