Jamaica Defeats Brazil To Advance To The World Cup’s Round Of 16

On Wednesday, a valiant Jamaica kept Brazil scoreless to advance to the knockout round for the first time in just their second Women’s World Cup, while handing the South Americans their early departure since 1995.

In a frantic environment at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, the Reggae Girlz, who needed a point to advance, scarcely threatened to score but were tight in defense, denying wave after wave of Brazilian attempts.

After the final whistle, the exhausted Jamaicans collapsed to their knees and yelled with ecstasy before forming a circle and swaying to the tune of One Love by Bob Marley.

The Jamaicans have made significant progress in a short period after losing all of their games in France four years ago. In their Group F matches, they held France to a scoreless draw and defeated Panama 1-0.

It was a difficult evening for Brazil.

Marta was their coach Pia Sundhage’s first starter in her sixth and final World Cup, but the legendary attacker bowed out in defeat in the 80th minute.

Early on, her touch was absent. In the fourth minute, she sent a shot into a defender. Seven minutes later, she lost another opportunity with a heavy touch, leaving an unmarked Ary Borges furious at the far post.

Luana’s cross gave Borges, who had been running toward the goal, her chance, but in the 24th minute, the playmaker misdirected her header.

Later in the half, Borges set Tamires up with a lovely cross into the inside-left channel, but Tamires sent a volley right at goalkeeper Becky Spencer.

Brazil became more desperate after the break as their attempts were ineffective as Jamaica rode their luck until the halftime break.

The defender Allyson Swaby nearly placed the ball in her net in the 79th minute, forcing Spencer into a superb save at the far post. The Jamaicans’ hearts were in their mouths.

The Brazilians exposed themselves to the counterattack while attempting to score, and Khadija Shaw nearly made them pay. In the 82nd minute, she fired narrowly over the bar with the goalkeeper standing in her way.

In a last-second goalmouth scramble, Brazil had one more opportunity, but Debinha headed straight to the goalkeeper, allowing the Jamaicans to enjoy possibly their greatest moment in international football.