Jamaica guaranteed Marta’s World Cup journey would not finish happily as they defeated Brazil 0-0 on Wednesday to advance to the last 16 and condemn the South Americans to their earliest exit since 1995.
Marta, the great Brazilian forward, had stated that this would be her final World Cup at the age of 37.
But it was ecstasy for a Jamaican team that has yet to surrender in the competition and is in the knockout stages for the first time in its history.
Lorne Donaldson’s unbeaten team will almost certainly face Colombia next. Brazil needed to win to advance, whereas Jamaica only needed to draw.
So it’s no surprise that the South Americans had the best of the first half in Melbourne.
Brazil controlled more of the possession and attempted more goals in front of a crowd of roughly 28,000 people; Jamaica had none on target whole game compared to Brazil’s five.
Despite this, and with Marta at the helm, Jamaica were never seriously threatened at any moment during the game.
Jamaica, who held France to a 0-0 draw before defeating Panama 1-0 in the World Cup, was defending deep and in numbers.
Pia Sundhage’s Brazil, who have never won the World Cup, appeared to be at a loss for ideas as they went into the halftime break goalless.
The second half was more of the same, with Brazil struggling to produce a golden opportunity.
Khadija Shaw, the prolific Manchester City striker and undisputed star of Jamaica, was seldom regarded as an attacking force.
Jamaica showed few signs of bucking in the final 20 minutes, as Brazil just ran out of steam and ideas.
Jamaica’s performance, despite losing all three games in their World Cup debut in 2019, is all the more impressive given the tensions behind the scenes.
Last week, defender Allyson Swaby stated that making an impression in the tournament would send a message to the country’s football officials that the women’s squad deserved better treatment.
Donaldson’s team has been in open conflict with their football federation due to a lack of support, including pay concerns and poor planning in the run-up to the World Cup.
