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Jamaica heads to Women's World Cup knockouts for first time ever, Brazil crashes out

What we covered

  • Reggae Girlz make history: Jamaica earns historic qualification to the knockouts, sending Brazil crashing out of the tournament.
  • Goal-fest in Sydney: France beat Panama 6-3 in a high-scoring affair.
  • Wednesday's early games: South Africa sensationally beat Italy 3-2, while Sweden eased to a 2-0 win over Argentina, setting up a clash with the US on Sunday.
  • US avoids shock: The US women were inches away from being knocked out of the tournament in a huge World Cup scare for the Americans.
  • Go deeper: View current standings, top scorers and more from the tournament here. See the best moments of the World Cup so far here.
Our live coverage has ended. You can read about how today's matches unfolded in the posts below.
11:36 a.m. ET, August 2, 2023

Here's what happened Wednesday at the Women's World Cup

Team Jamaica celebrates in the locker room after they defeated Brazil to advance to the knockouts of the Women's World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, on Wednesday. Alex Pantling/FIFA via Getty Images

As the group stage at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup winds down, Wednesday proved to be yet another dramatic day at the competition.

The Reggae Girlz from Jamaica earned historic qualification to the knockouts, sending Brazil crashing out of the tournament. While France beat Panama 6-3 in a high-scoring affair in Sydney.

Here are more of the headlines from the day's action down under:

  • Jamaica's manager calls team's knockout round qualification "one of the best feelings I’ve had in my life": The Reggae Girlz reached the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time in the country's history thanks to a gutsy draw against Brazil, a game which manager Lorne Donaldson called a "war." The result, coupled with the other Group F game between France and Panama, meant the team advanced as runner-up and will face the winner of Group H in the next round.
  • Brazil's greatest female footballer played in her final World Cup: Brazilian striker Marta, now 37, has concluded what will be her sixth and final World Cup. She is considered by many – perhaps even most – to be the greatest female footballer of all time. On Wednesday, Jamaica sent Brazil home with a stunning 0-0 draw in the teams' final group-stage match. Prior to the tournament Brazil's all-time record goal scorer said this would be her final World Cup appearance for her country.
  • France tops Group F with goals galore in win over Panama: It looked a bit shaky at the beginning, but France overcame any issues to book its place in the last 16 of the Women's World Cup with its 6-3 victory over Panama. Marta Cox's stunning free kick put Panama up early on, but France recovered quickly by scoring five unanswered to take control of the match. Kadidiatou Diani was the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick to become the first female French player to do so at the World Cup.
  • South Africa and Italy played out a thriller: South Africa and Italy played arguably the game of the tournament so far, featuring end-to-end action, a bizarre own goal and a stoppage-time winner. South Africa's 3-2 victory saw the team finish second in Group G and reach the knockout stages for the first time ever thanks to Thembi Kgatlana's late goal. Italy, meanwhile, would have progressed in the tournament with a win or a draw, but instead goes home in heartbreaking fashion.
  • Sweden advances to face the US next round: Sweden eased to a 2-0 win over Argentina, setting up a clash with the US on Sunday. The US women were inches away from being knocked out of the tournament in a huge World Cup scare for the Americans against Portugal earlier this week.
11:29 a.m. ET, August 2, 2023

Football icon Marta after Brazil's loss: "Not even in my worst nightmares was it the World Cup I dreamed of"

Marta of Brazil controls the ball during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group F match between Jamaica and Brazil at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 2, in Melbourne, Australia. Andrew Wiseman/DeFodi Images/Getty Images

Brazil's Marta, the record scorer in World Cup history and veteran of six tournaments, spoke after her team bowed out of the tournament following a scoreless draw against Jamaica:

“It's hard to talk at a time like this,” the legendary footballer said. “Not even in my worst nightmares was it the World Cup I dreamed of.

“But it is only the beginning. The Brazilian people asked for renewal, and there is renewal. I think the only old one here is me, and maybe Tami (Tamires) following. Most of them (teammates) are young girls with enormous talent, who have a great path ahead of them. It's just the beginning for them. I finish here, but they continue," she added.

As for her future, the 37-year-old said, “There is no more World Cup for Marta. I am very grateful for the opportunity I had to play one more cup, and I am very happy with everything that is happening with women’s football in Brazil and in the world. Keep supporting because for them it is only the beginning. For me it is the end of the road.”

On Wednesday, Jamaica sent Brazil home with a stunning 0-0 draw that earned the Reggae Girlz second place in Group F and a place in the knockout rounds. Brazil finished third in the group.

More on Marta's legendary status: Marta, now 37 is considered by many – perhaps even most – to be the greatest female footballer of all time.

She has won the FIFA Player of the Year award an unprecedented six times – no other women’s player has won it more than three times – including five years in a row from 2006 to 2010 and is Brazil’s all-time record goalscorer, male or female, with 115 goals.

She has also lifted the Champions League, the Copa Libertadores and was awarded the Golden Boot and Golden Ball for top scorer and best player at the 2007 World Cup. In 2019, Marta became the first male or female player in history to score at five World Cups and her 17 World Cup goals are an all-time record in men’s and women’s football.

9:42 a.m. ET, August 2, 2023

Brazil's greatest female footballer just played in her final World Cup

Brazil's forward Marta waves to the crowd after the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup Group F football match between Jamaica and Brazil at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Melbourne on August 2. William West/AFP/Getty Images

Brazilian striker Marta, now 37, has concluded what will be her sixth and final World Cup, is considered by many – perhaps even most – to be the greatest female footballer of all time.

On Wednesday, Jamaica sent Brazil home with a stunning 0-0 draw that earned the Reggae Girlz second place in Group F and a place in the knockout rounds. Brazil finished third in the group.

Prior to the tournament Brazil's all-time record goal scorer said this would be her final World Cup appearance for her country.

Read more about Marta's legendary career here.
8:36 a.m. ET, August 2, 2023

"One of the best feelings I've had in my life": Jamaica manager describes historic World Cup qualification

Jamaica coach Lorne Donaldson during the Reggae Girlz's historic match against Brazil at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 2. Hannah Mckay/Reuters

Jamaica manager Lorne Donaldson said his team's historic Women's World Cup qualification is "one of the best feelings I’ve had in my life."

The Reggae Girlz reached the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time in the country's history thanks to a gutsy draw against Brazil, a game which Donaldson called a "war."

The result, coupled with the other Group F game between France and Panama, meant it advanced as runner-up and will face the winner of Group H in the next round.

And Donaldson was full of praise for his players afterwards.

"Just to see these girls and to see a country like Jamaica be able to do this, it’s unbelievable to just watch it while I’m alive right here standing," he said in his post-match interview.
"It’s unbelievable. I thank the girls for doing this for the country and the country should be proud."

When asked how he planned to celebrate the momentous achievement, Donaldson -- who said he had already completed a cartwheel -- said he would keep it lowkey this evening.

I need a cup of beer and I’m good. I’m not a big drinker. I will enjoy."
9:24 a.m. ET, August 2, 2023

Full-time: France tops Group F after goals galore in win over Panama

It looked a bit shaky at the beginning, but France overcame any issues to book its place in the last 16 of the Women's World Cup with its 6-3 victory over Panama.

Marta Cox's stunning free kick put Panama up early on, but France recovered quickly by scoring five unanswered to take control of the match.

Kadidiatou Diani was the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick to become the first female French player to do so at the World Cup.

Panama did give its fans something to cheer for late on with a late flurry of goals, bringing about wild scenes of jubilant, dancing celebrations.

Vicki Bècho's late goal completed the goal fest as France topped Group F where it will now face the runner-up of Group H.

8:20 a.m. ET, August 2, 2023

The scoring isn't done yet as France gets its sixth

Vicki Becho of France celebrates after scoring her team's sixth goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group F match between Panama and France at Sydney Football Stadium on August 2 in Sydney, Australia. Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

The game might be ticking down to the final whistle, but France isn't resting on its laurels just yet as Vicki Bècho makes the score 6-3 in the 10th minute of added time.

The 19-year-old steered home a cross from close range to add gloss to an impressive victory.

9:25 a.m. ET, August 2, 2023

Full-time: Jamaica earns historic, surprise qualification for knockout round

Jamaica's players celebrate after qualifying for the last 16 of the Women's World Cup by drawing with Brazil at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Australia on August 2. William West/AFP/Getty Images

First, it was South Africa. Now, it's Jamaica.

The Reggae Girlz are the second team of the day to earn qualification for the knockout stages for the first time ever following a 0-0 draw against Brazil.

It also means Jamaica is the first Caribbean nation to ever reach the knockouts — something few would have predicted happening ahead of the tournament.

All of the Jamaican squad and coaching staff are out celebrating on the pitch, some of them in tears.

Brazil's players, meanwhile, look shell-shocked — none more so than captain Marta, who has just made her final World Cup appearance. This is the first time in 28 years that Brazil has failed to get through the group stages.

9:33 a.m. ET, August 2, 2023

Panama celebrates another goal after it's given by VAR review

Panama's forward #19 Lineth Cedeno celebrates scoring her team's third goal during the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup Group F football match between Panama and France at Sydney Football Stadium in Sydney on August 2. David Gray/AFP/Getty Images

They may be going home, but Panama's players are enjoying their final minutes at the Women's World Cup.

Lineth Cedeño's header from close range has the whole Panama squad dancing in celebration with the scoreline at 5-3.

After a lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) check, the dancing begins anew when it's eventually given.

7:45 a.m. ET, August 2, 2023

Did Marta walk off the World Cup stage for the last time ever?

Marta of Brazil interacts with teammates after being substituted off during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group F match between Jamaica and Brazil at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on August 2 in Melbourne, Australia. Elsa/FIFA/Getty Images

Was that the last time we'll see the legendary Marta at the Women's World Cup?

She's substituted off for Andressa with 10 minutes remaining in Melbourne, potentially meaning her glittering career will end without ever winning a World Cup trophy.

The 37-year-old is the top scorer in the history of the tournament with 17 goals and is also a six-time FIFA Player of the Year winner. For context, no other women’s player has won the award more than three times.

She'll watch the rest of this match from the substitute bench, desperately hoping that her team can find a winning goal in the closing stages.

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