Plucky Jamaica knock out Brazil on way to World Cup last 16
A courageous Jamaican side held Brazil to a 0-0 draw on Wednesday to reach the knockout phase for the first time in only their second Women's World Cup while condemning the South Americans to their earliest exit since 1995.
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It will be the first time the Canarinhas won't play in the knockout rounds since the 1995 World Cup.
Brazil needed the three points to advance, while Jamaica only needed a draw as France, the group leaders, securing top spot with a 6-3 victory over Panama.
Needing a point to go through, the Reggae Girls barely threatened to score but were tight in defence, repelling wave after wave of Brazilian attacks in a frenetic atmosphere at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
At the final whistle, the overwhelmed Jamaicans slumped to their knees and roared in joy before forming a circle to dance and sway to the Bob Marley song "One Love".
Having lost all their matches in France four years ago, the Jamaicans have come a long way in a short time.
They held France 0-0 and beat Panama 1-0, finishing second in Group F behind the French while advancing courtesy of a single goal.
"I feel like we’ve been hugely underestimated," said goalkeeper Becky Spencer, who won the player of the match award after her third clean sheet of the tournament.
"I don't think anyone took us seriously. We're resilient and we had a point to prove," she added.
Brazil, who needed three points, were left to lament a slew of missed chances in a dismal end to Marta's sixth and final World Cup.
"They (Jamaica) did a good job and we weren’t able to make many chances," coach Pia Sundhage told reporters.
