Day 12 of the World Cup sees the top three teams from Group C – Italy, Australia and Brazil – qualify through to the Round of 16 with some tight competition and crucial goal differences.
Italy v Brazil
Brazil narrowly defeated Italy in Valenciennes courtesy of a penalty by Marta in the 75th minute. This result also ensures that the South Americans secure their position as one of the 16 teams participating in the next phase of the tournament.
Italy headed into the match looking to perfect their group stage record with a third straight win, but a barging Elena Linari was deemed to have fouled Debinha during her run into the box.
GOAL #BRA!
Marta becomes the all time top scorer in World Cup Finals… but it's put the #Matildas back down into third in the group.
Another #AUS goal will change that, though! #OptusSport #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/R90w86PqWk
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) June 18, 2019
Marta made no mistake from the spot as she sent Juventus goalkeeper Laura Giuliani the wrong way, in the process putting her name down as the record top goalscorer at a World Cup tournament, male or female.
While Italy, Brazil and Australia all finished with six points each, the Italians still proceed through to the knockout stage as the first place team in Group C due to superior goal difference. Brazil, on the other hand, are placed in third after Australia’s 4-1 win over Jamaica.
Italy 0
Brazil 1 (Marta 75’)
Jamaica v Australia
In the other Group C match, which was played simultaneously, Australia put in a dominant performance to close off their group stage play, winning 4-1 over Jamaica.
Matildas captain Sam Kerr was on the mark in Grenoble as she scored all four goals for the Matildas. Kerr’s haul was crucial as it meant Australia finished second instead of third in Group C, due to having scored more goals than Brazil.
"How many goals did you score, Sam?"@samkerr1: pic.twitter.com/KgPxNDqoXq
— Matildas (@TheMatildas) June 18, 2019
Kerr’s first goal came in the 11th minute, when she headed home Emily Gielnik’s cross from just inside the box. The Chicago Red Stars forward struck again just before halftime – this time off a ball from Katrina Gorry – taking the Matildas into the dressing rooms with a 2-0 lead.
The Reggae Girlz came out firing in the second half, with halftime substitute Havana Solaun finding the back of the net for Jamaica’s first ever World Cup goal. She rounded goalkeeper Lydia Williams after racing onto a wonderful defence-splitting through ball from Khadija Shaw.
Hayley Raso’s impact as a substitute in the attacking third was felt instantly when she came on, and the Portland Thorns flyer played a hand in the build-up to Australia’s third goal. She weaved her way through the Jamaican defence in the 18 yard box, before serving up a pass to Kerr, who only needed to turn and poke the goal in.
The striker found her fourth and final goal of the night when she pressured and pounced on a defensive error by goalkeeper Nicole McClure.
A full Beyond 90 report on the match is available.
Jamaica 1 (Havana Solaun 49’)
Australia 4 (Sam Kerr 11’, 42’, 69’, 84’)
