FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Brazil crash out as Jamaica make history
Brazil's goalless draw with Jamaica sees them exiting the tournament at the group stages, leaving the latter to advance to the Round of 16 for the very first time.
Football
Brazil have been knocked out of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 following a goalless draw with Jamaica, which leaves them third in their group behind Jamaica and France.
Despite having a plethora of chances, it just was not meant to be for Brazil, as they bow out early in what is Marta's last World Cup tournament for her beloved homeland.
For Jamaica, however, this marks a sprinkle of history as they progress to the Round of 16 for the very first time in their second attempt.
They join France in advancing to the knockouts after the Europeans' resounding win over Panama today (2 August).
With France thumping Panama in their final group game, Brazil needed a win in order to secure safe passage into the Round of 16 ahead of Jamaica, with a draw not good enough for the South American outfit.
Legendary Marta was instilled from the off, and was mere minutes away from the perfect start after combining effortlessly with Debinha in attack. Her eventual effort was tame and gathered comfortably by Rebecca Spencer in the Jamaican goal.
The Brazilians continued to pressure the opposition goal early on, this time Rafaelle stepped up from the back to fizz a pass into Debinha, whose quick feet sees her skip away from the defender before her effort is blocked into the gloves of Spencer.
Anchored by Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw up top, Jamaica struggled to create anything clear-cut in the opposing half as they were constantly swarmed off the ball by the press of Brazil in the opening exchanges. At the other end, Pia Sundhage’s saw yet another chance go begging after Kerolin teed up Tamires at the far post, but it was saved once more.
Drew Spence was at the heart of a move that saw Jamaica finally dawn on the Brazilian goal, playing in Matthews whose cross was met by Wiltshire, but the Selecao were quick to clear.
Brazil’s best chance of the half came five minutes before the interval when Ary Borges’ sublime lofted pass over the backline fell into the path of Tamires, but Spencer was equal to her volley.
The second 45 followed a similar narrative, with Brazil dominating large periods of the game, but failing to convert their chances thanks to a formidable display at the back from Jamaican shot-stopper Spencer.
She did, however, almost gift her opponents a golden chance to take the lead after spilling the ball in front of Debinha, but was quick to recover.
Chances for Jamaica were few and far between in the second half, but the best of them fell to Bunny Shaw, who raced towards goal before blazing her effort just over the bar.
After making a triple substitution for the final 10 minutes, Sundhage’s side camped in the opposite half in an attempt to find the goal that would keep them in the competition. Alves saw her free-kick saved by Spencer, with the goalkeeper coming up big once more in the final moments to deny a late winner for Brazil.
This result means that Jamaica have not conceded a single goal in the group stages, and advance to the Round of 16 for the first time in their World Cup history.
For Brazil, it brings to an end a campaign that started off promisingly, with the fairytale ending for Marta’s career in this tournament out of reach.