By Izzy Yard
Marta’s Brazil are sent packing by a joyous Jamaica, a last gasp-winner by South Africa eliminates Italy, France see off Panama in a goal-fest and a much changed Sweden beat a determined Argentina…
Jamaica 0-0 Brazil
In the tournament’s biggest shock, World Cup giants Brazil have been knocked out by 43rd ranked Jamaica.
Even with record-breaking striker Marta recalled in attack, Brazil could not find the goal they needed and failed to reach the knockout stages for the first time in 28 years, while Jamaica are out of the groups for the first time in their history.
Brazil had chances but could not capitalise, even when Becky Spencer spilled the ball right in front of Debinha shortly after half-time, but Jamaica keeper just managed to regather the ball in time.
With time running out for Brazil they put in all their effort creating some goal scoring opportunities however they just couldn’t find the back of the net.
A late corner in added time was Brazil’s last chance to scrape a win. As it was whipped into the box a goal mouth scramble ensured, but eventually the ball was claimed by Spence keeping them out yet again.
The final whistle blew which sent Jamaica through to the knockout rounds for the first time in their history, meaning a huge disappointment for Brazil as they ended third in the group, therefore exiting the tournament.
South Africa 3-2 Italy
South Africa got their first World Cup win after nicking a last-minute winner against an Italian team that only needed a draw to proceed.
Italy opened the scoring after Karabo Dhlamini crashed into the back of Chiara Beccari. Midfielder Arinna Caruso calmly rolled the ball into the bottom left hand corner to take the lead.
South Africa knew they needed a goal to stay in the competition and responded well with Themi Kgatlana shooting from the edge of the box however it just went wide.
South Africa did manage to equalise however it was an Italy player who hit the back of her own net after knocking the ball back to an unsuspecting keeper.
There were chances for both teams in the second half but it was Italy’s defence to be caught out with Kgatlana playing a reverse pass into Hildah Magaia who lofted it into the far side of the net.
South Africa struggled to deal with Italy’s corners throughout and eventually conceded in the 74th minute as the ball whipped to the near post and Caruso just got enough on it to put it into the net.
As the game entered its final minutes it looked as Italy were going through however, in added time Elisa Bartoli squared the ball to Kgatlana who gleefully picked out the back of the net.
This goal secured their win to set up a tie vs the Netherlands, and sent Italy packing.
France 6-3 Panama
In a free-scoring and entertaining clash, Panama opened the scoring in style with Marta Cox’s free-kick in the 2nd minute of the game. She curled the ball over the wall into the top corner for arguably the best goal in the world cup so far.
France however took this goal in their stride and controlled the game from then on, equalising in the 21st minute.
It then didn’t take long for them to take the lead Kadidiatou Dani collecting the keeper’s rebound and lifting her shot over the defender into the back of the net.
A handball from Panama then gave France a penalty which Dani converted coolly into the bottom corner – her second of the game.
Just before the half time whistle blew Lea le Garrec curled a cross into the box which beat everyone including the keeper to make it 4-1.
Les Bleus did not take their foot off the gas and continued to press the Panama defence which led to them being awarded their second penalty of the match which Dani slotted home giving her a well-deserved hat-trick.
Despite the scoreline Panama’s heads didn’t drop and their persistence was rewarded with a penalty back, Yomira Pinzon’s effort going into the bottom corner.
Panama also netted in the 87th minute when Lineth Cedeño headed the ball into an empty net, prompting delight from Panamanians despite the deficit.
France however sealed the deal in the 10th minute of added time sending them through to the last 16 after a captivating game against Panama who go home with their heads held high.
Sweden 2-0 Argentina
Sweden made it three wins from three today after beating Argentina to take the top spot in group G.
It was a goalless first half as both teams battled to take the lead. Argentina looked like strong opponents, against a Sweden side who couldn’t quite find their feet, however they weren’t able to offer that much threat in the final third.
Peter Gerhardsson’s nine changes didn’t look as though it was paying off in the frist 45 minutes with their only chance being Olivia Schough’s header which went narrowly wide past the post.
As the second half played out Sweden started to get more into the swing of things and eventually hit the back of the net, as an unmarked Rebecka Blomqvist scored from close range.
Argentina made some changes in attack but this just didn’t seem to pay off and ended up giving away a penalty after Gabriela Chavez brought Blomqvist to the ground.
Elin Rubensson smashed her shot into the bottom right-hand corner to complete Sweden’s win and send the Argentines home as bottom of the group.
With Sweden finishing first, they now face four times world champions USA in their first knockout round which will arguably be the biggest match of the tournament so far.
