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World Cup 2023 - Brazil and Italy bomb out as Jamaica make World Cup history - Match Day 14
World football powerhouses Brazil and Italy were sent packing on Match Day 14.
Jamaica held Brazil to a nil-all draw to see South American giants go out in the group stage of a FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time in 28 years. Brazil needed a win to progress and despite dominating for extended periods, it was Jamaica's Reggae Girlz who defended bravely to become the first ever Caribbean nation to qualify for the knockout phase of a Women's World Cup. It was also the end of an era as Brazilian superstar Marta played her final ever World Cup game with the 37-year-old notching up an incredible six World Cup campaigns.
For Jamaica it was pure elation as coach Lorne Donaldson paid tribute to his players. "This is one of the best feelings I've had in my life, to see these girls [sic] a country like Jamaica be able to do this its unbelievable to just watch it while I'm alive," he said. In the other Group F fixture, France notched up a 6-3 win to end Panama's campaign but it wasn't without fanfare for the Central Americans as Marta Cox threw her hat into the ring for goal of the tournament with a near 40-yard screamer from a free kick. France will now march on to a meeting with the second ranked team from Group H. In Group G, 54th ranked South Africa upset Italy 3-2 to march into the knockouts. With Italy only needing a draw to progress, South African captain Thembi Kgatlana dealt the final blow to the Italians with an injury time winner.
Meanwhile, Sweden easily accounted for Argentina to enter the Round of 16 without dropping a point in the group stage.
Match Day 15 will see the final games in Group H take place. South Korea will be playing for pride as they take on the second ranked Germans, while Morocco will be hoping they can keep their slim chances of progressing alive as they take on Colombia at a sold out match in Perth.