‘Not even in my worst nightmare’, says Marta after Brazil’s shock Women’s World Cup exit

MELBOURNE – It is all over for Marta’s World Cup career, as Jamaica strangled Brazil in a 0-0 draw on Wednesday to reach the last 16 of the tournament and condemn the South Americans to their earliest exit since 1995.

The result also meant that the Jamaicans have reached the knockout phase for the first time in only their second Women’s World Cup.

Needing a point to go through from Group F, the Reggae Girlz barely threatened to score but were tight in defence, repelling wave after wave of Brazilian attack in a frenetic atmosphere at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

Brazil coach Pia Sundhage started Marta for the first time in her sixth World Cup but the iconic 37-year-old forward bowed out in disappointment, having confirmed that this would be her final tournament.

“It’s hard to talk at a time like this. Not even in my worst nightmare was it the World Cup I dreamt of,” said the veteran.

“But it is only the beginning... The only old one is me, most of them (teammates) are young with enormous talent. It’s just the beginning for them. I end here, but they continue.”

A disappointed Sundhage felt her side did not create enough in a short interview after the match. She said: “We couldn’t break their defence. It really is very sad, we had high expectations. We started the World Cup well (beating Panama 4-0), but we have to face the results.”

Marta had chances to make an impact but her touch was missing. She fired a shot into a defender in the fourth minute and then wasted another chance seven minutes later with a heavy touch, leaving an unmarked Ary Borges fuming at the far post.

Running towards goal, Borges finally had her chance when Luana found her with a cross, but the playmaker steered her header well wide in the 24th minute.

Borges then set Tamires up with a delightful cross into the inside-left channel late in the half, but she thumped a volley straight at goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer.

Jamaica rode their luck to half-time and Brazil’s desperation grew after the break as their attacks came to nothing.

The Jamaicans’ hearts were in their mouths in the 79th minute when defender Allyson Swaby nearly put the ball into her own net with a terrible attempted clearance that forced Spencer into a fine save at the far post. But it all turned out well in the end as they finished second in the group on five points, a point ahead of the Brazilians and two behind France, who beat Panama 6-3.

“I tell you what, this is one of the best feelings I have ever had in my life. To see these girls from Jamaica do this,” said Jamaica coach Lorne Donaldson.

“I thank the girls for doing this for the country and the girls should be proud. It was a war and we stayed in the battle and we won the war. We have some more work to do, but we will just enjoy tonight.

“Not much celebration, I need a couple of beers and I’m good. I will enjoy it.”

In Sydney, Kadidiatou Diani netted a hat-trick, including two penalties, to lead France to a frenzied victory over debutantes Panama and into the last 16.

Les Bleues needed only a draw against winless Panama and after conceding in the second minute, they dominated, with goals also coming from Maelle Lakrar, Lea le Garrec and Vicki Becho.

Marta Cox made history by scoring Panama’s first-ever Women’s World Cup goal – and the quickest at this tournament after 67 seconds – with a stunning free kick that curled into the top corner.

She burst into tears before being mobbed by teammates.

Trailing 5-1, Yomira Pinzon added a second for Las Canaleras – the Canal Girls – from the penalty spot in the 64th minute, to the delight of a largely neutral Sydney Football Stadium crowd of 40,498.

Lineth Cedeno scored their final goal via a header in the 87th minute. REUTERS, AFP