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Writer's pictureConnor Booth

Jamaica hold Brazil to make World Cup history

Jamaica held on for a well-deserved goalless draw with Brazil to eliminate the South American champions and qualify for the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time in their history.


The Reggae Girlz qualify in second place from Group F unbeaten, having not conceded a goal in the tournament. This is especially remarkable given that they hadn't kept a clean sheet in almost 9 months before the tournament.


It's even more remarkable given that they had to crowdfund their own journey to Australia due to a lack of support from the Jamaican Football Federation (JFF).


Brazil started quickly, with legendary striker Marta having two chances in the first twelve minutes, denied once by goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer and once by a crowd of Jamaican defenders.


The South American champions maintained the pressure throughout the opening half an hour, exploiting gaps on the right side of the Jamaican defence. Winger Adriana and full-back Tamires both drew saves from Spencer, who had an excellent game to keep her side level.

For a 15-minute spell in the first half, both countries were on course to make it through to the last 16 with Panama leading France through an outrageous free-kick from Marta Fox.


But Le Blues hit back to lead 4 - 1 by half-time, going on to win 6 - 3, meaning both Jamaica and Brazil emerged for the second half knowing that one last 16 spot was already gone from Group F.


It was a far more one-sided second half, with Brazil making it attack against defence for most of the half. Despite dominating the game though, Brazil didn't really create any chances of note.


The closest they came to a winning goal was a sliced clearance from Allyson Swaby which forced a panicked save from Rebecca Spencer.

Brazil did have a controversial 90th-minute free-kick after Kerolin tripped herself up but was given the decision by the referee. Andressa stepped up from 23 yards but once again Spencer was equal to it.


The final chance came from a 94th-minute corner, for which Brazilian goalkeeper Leticia was called up. A scrambled ball fell onto the head of Debinha from 10 yards out and her header was saved once again by Rebecca Spencer.


This was perhaps the biggest shock of the tournament and arguably the most significant result in Jamaica's history. They have been treated unfairly by their federation in the buildup to this tournament, being disbanded twice in the last 16 years.


But they can never again be ignored in the women's game. They've completed a group containing France and South American champions Brazil, and not only have they done it unbeaten, they've done it without conceding a single goal.

There were emotional scenes at full-time, with players falling to their knees letting out all of the frustration and injustice they've felt over the past year as pure joy.


Having had to crowdfund their travel to this tournament, they can delay the flight home for at least a few more days because they're very much alive and kicking at this tournament.


The Reggae Girlz will play knockout football at a World Cup for the first time, becoming only the third women's side from North America to do so after World Champions USA and Olympic Champions Canada.


It is however a nightmare ending for Brazil, having been knocked out at the group stage for the first time since 1995.


Marta has likely played her last World Cup match, having scored more goals than any other player at World Cups and becoming the first player (male or female) to feature at six World Cups as a player.


Despite the end of her legendary career, Jamaica are absolutely the story of the day, fending off wave after wave of Brazilian attacks to set up a last-16 tie with the winners of Group H.




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