- Brazil dominated the match against Jamaica in the Women’s World Cup but could only manage a scoreless draw.
- Jamaica’s goalkeeper, Rebecca Spencer, was outstanding and won the Player of the Match award for her third shutout of the tournament.
- Jamaica’s determined defense and quick counterattacks allowed them to advance to the round of 16 for the first time in the tournament’s history.
Brazil had already ensured that Jamaica’s custodian, Rebecca Spencer, was well warmed up six minutes into the match when a giant Marta flag was unfurled behind the goal. Under a full moon and in front of a packed audience at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, the Brazilian veteran’s presence on the pitch was ultimately insufficient to prevent her team from being eliminated from the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Brazil dominated, but Jamaica advanced to the round of 16 for the first time after a scoreless draw.
With Marta starting for the first time in this tournament and Jamaican captain Khadija “Bunny” Shaw returning from suspension, the match appeared to be a thrilling one. The Selecao dominated possession from the beginning, persistently bombarding the Reggae Girlz’s defense from all sides. Except for a single mistake, Spencer was rock solid between the posts the entire evening, rarely having to extend as Brazil’s shots landed comfortably in her gloves.
Spencer, who won Player of the Match for her third shutout, said, “I feel like we’ve been grossly underestimated.”
“I believe no one took us seriously. We are tenacious and had something to prove.”
It wasn’t until the 39th minute that Brazil truly turned up the pressure, moving the ball around the perimeter of the penalty area and permitting themselves to be more creative. Ary Borges was able to capitalize after an initial attempt was unconvincingly cleared, chipping the ball over the defense to Tamires on the left, who fired a shot just inside the near post to a waiting Spencer.
The first half concluded with Jamaica unable to link together more than roughly five passes. Their only opportunities came from quick counterattacks led by Shaw, Drew Spence, and Atlanta Primus, which occasionally made Brazil appear apprehensive but ultimately failed. Spence exerted tremendous effort in the midfield and made crucial clearances from the penalty area.
Marta Cox’s free kick thunderbolt gave Panama the lead over France in the other Group F encounter in Sydney. This altered the equation for Jamaica and Brazil for a fleeting moment. The situation in Melbourne remained unchanged, with Jamaica needing only a draw to advance and Brazil needing a victory.
In the second half, this fact was brought into clear focus. The Brazilian drums never stopped, but jeers interrupted them anytime a Jamaican player played for a while.
The passionate, predominantly Brazilian audience was well aware that a draw would result in the Canarinhas’ shocking early elimination.
Brazil’s desperation on the pitch mirrored the anguish in the stands. Crosses within the box missed their intended destinations. Passes that were poorly timed thwarted the substitute Bia Zaneratto’s flank dashes. Corners and free kicks were ineffective. Debinha and Marta were unable to communicate.
At the other end of the pitch, the lone forward Shaw was failing to win the final ball or was left high and alone without anyone to support her counterattacking runs. At times, the commander cut a dejected figure, hanging her hand and flapping her arms in annoyance. The finest opportunity for Shaw occurred in the 82nd minute when Spence flicked the ball from midfield. Shaw outran the defender again, but her shot hit the crossbar, sending her to the ground.
In the frenetic final minutes, both teams had opportunities. Debinha headed the ball to Spencer after a scramble in the centre of the six-yard box on Brazil’s last corner. Also on multiple occasions, Pia Sundhage’s team failed to control the final ball.
Seconds later, Shaw fell to the ground again, but this time she was joined by her Reggae Girlz. They beat the odds to draw France earlier in the competition and Brazil to advance to the round of 16.
Sundhage stated, “They did a good job, and we were unable to create many opportunities.” “When we were unable to penetrate the opponent’s defense, you feel a little anxious. And if you’re anxious, you lose a bit of your courage and move a bit more slowly.”
