Jamaica ensured there would be no fairytale ending to Marta’s World Cup career as they strangled Brazil 0-0 to reach the last 16 on Wednesday and condemn the South Americans to their earliest exit since 1995. It was heartbreak for the legendary Brazilian attacker Marta, who at age 37 has said this would be her sixth but last World Cup. She was in tears at the end. But it was joy in Melbourne for a Jamaica team who are yet to concede at the tournament and are into the knockout rounds for the first time in their history. Lorne Donaldson’s unbeaten side, who have defied rows with their federation to get this far, will most likely meet Colombia next after finishing second in the group behind France.Banyana Banyana fantastic fantasticBrazil had to win to be sure of going through, whereas Jamaica needed only to draw. So it was little surprise that it was the South Americans who had the better of an attritional contest. In front of a crowd of nearly 28,000, Brazil had much more of the ball and attempts at goal — Jamaica had none on target all game to Brazil’s five. But for all that and with Marta starting, Jamaica were never really in serious trouble at any point in the game. Jamaica, who held France 0-0 before getting their first-ever World Cup win with a 1-0 victory over Panama, were defending deep and in numbers. Pia Sundhage’s Brazil, who have never won the World Cup, looked short of ideas as they went to the break goalless.Danes are expecting that the home crowd pressure will work against AustraliaKadidiatou Diani hit a hat-trick as France marched into the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup on Wednesday in a 6-3 thriller against Panama. It was a polished recovery after Marta Cox’s wonder strike on 67 seconds left the French reeling, swerving a free kick into the corner from 30 yards for her country’s first-ever World Cup goal. But the euphoria was short-lived as France ran riot, with Diani scoring twice — one a penalty — and Maelle Lakrar and Lea Le Garrec adding a goal apiece before half-time. Paris Saint-Germain striker Diani got her third from the spot after the restart, but Panama refused to give up as France relaxed. Yomira Pinzon added their second with a crisply struck penalty and Lineth Cedeno scored again in an exciting finale, before Vicki Becho finished well to seal the game for France in injury time. The win ensured France finished top of Group F to set up a knockout round clash with the second-placed team in Group H — most likely Germany.© Agence France-Presse##NAJAVA_MECA_7403155##
