August 2 – Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz have knocked out one of the pre-tournament favourites Brazil with a goalless draw to progress to the round of 16 for the first time in their history. The match also brought an end to Marta’s World Cup career.
It was perhaps the ultimate fairytale – the Jamaicans, who relied on crowdfunding and donations to make their way to Australia for the tournament – held the number eight side in the world 0-0 after a night of defending with an exceptional Rebecca Spencer in goal to claim second place behind France in Group F.
The Reggae Girlz did not have a single shot on target, even though Bunny Shaw and Solai Washington had opportunities to score a winner at the end, and yet, a draw and ensuing qualification were deserved for a team that had already shown its mettle in a goalless draw against France, the world’s number five, earlier in the tournament.
The draw condemned Brazil to their earliest exit since 1995 and is a major indictment of manager Pia Sundhage, who had come with the promise of making Brazil true title contenders. The South American champions have never won the Women’s World Cup and not even Marta, a starter, could help Brazil into the last sixteen. Substituted in the 81st minute, she watched on from the bench as her team stormed forward but failed to breach the Jamaican defense.
In a flash interview, Marta said: ”Not even in my worst nightmare had I imagined such a World Cup, but this is just the beginning. Brazilians have asked for a regeneration. I am the only old woman here. The majority are girls with a lot of talent and a great path ahead.”
While Brazil lamented their exit, the Jamaicans were ecstatic. In 2019, they lost all three group matches, including against Brazil, on their Women’s World Cup debut, but in Australia, they have kept three clean sheets, remain unbeaten, and will play the winner of Group H in the second round. The triumph compelled Jamaica coach Lorne Donaldson to do a cartwheel.
He said: “I tell you what, this is one of the best feelings I’ve ever had in my life! To see these girls, to see a country like Jamaica, to be able to do this, is unbelievable to just watch it while I am alive, right here, standing. I thank the girls to do this for their country, and the country should be proud. The resilience! The fight! We know it’s a war and we have to be ready. We stayed in the battle and we won the war.”
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