The Jamaica women's national team reached the Women's World Cup last 16 for the first time, while Brazil crashed out of the competition after a draw, 0-0. This is a deserving achievement for the Reggae girls, as they had to crowdfund their trip to this World Cup. They started well by holding the world number five team France last week and now they have held the world number eight side. Brazil, one of the pre-tournament favorites, has been knocked out by the Caribbean country. This comes after three matches, three losses four years ago, so their hard work this year is paying off.
The Reggae Girls needed a point to go through. They were hardly threatened to score but were quite tight in defense, repelling wave after wave of attacks in a hectic atmosphere at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium. At the final whistle, the Reggae girls slumped to their knees and roared in joy before forming a circle to dance and sway to one of Bob Marley's songs.
Pia Sundhage, Brazil's head coach, started the 37-year-old Marta for the first time in the sixth World Cup she had played. However, she bowed in disappointment. Her touch was missing early on as she fired a shot into a defender in the early minutes of the game and wasted another shot with a heavy touch, which left Ary Borges with no opportunity at the far post.
Brazil's desperation grew after the break as their attacks came to nothing, which led Jamaica to ride their luck. In the 79th minute, defender Allyson Swaby nearly put the ball into her own net with a terrible attempted clearance, which forced Spencer into a fine save at the far post. In search of a goal, Brazil then exposed themselves to the counterattack and Khadija Shaw almost made them pay. With only the keeper to beat, she blazed just over in the 82nd minute.
Any other chances Brazil may have had in the final minute were wasted, which soon after allowed Jamaica to celebrate their finest moment in international football.