🏆 Brazil and Italy crash out of World Cup as underdogs advance | OneFootball

Four more last 16 berths at the Women’s World Cup were decided on Wednesday. This is what went down.

Jamaica send Brazil packing

Brazil were eliminated from the World Cup at the group stage as a scoreless draw saw Jamaica secure their knockout place instead.

They had control of the contest throughout a scoreless first half but failed to convert that into meaningful chances, with Tamires twice working Jessica Spencer, who saved reasonably comfortably on both occasions.

The Reggae Girlz were dealt an injury concern after the break to star striker Bunny Shaw, who did return to the action, and came so close to securing her side’s place in second when she was played through inside the final 10 minutes but drove her effort just over.

However, the miss didn’t cost Jamaica, whose comfortable and resolute defending saw them through to the finish and sent the South Americans home early after a disappointing third place finish – the first time they’ve failed to get out of the group since 1995.

It also brings an ignominious end to the legendary Marta’s career after six World Cups, having announced her intent to retire prior to the tournament.

They are now set to face Colombia or Germany in the last 16.

France see off Panama in nine-goal thriller

Scorers: Cox 2′, Pinzon (PEN) 64′, Cedeño 87′; Lakrar 21′, Diani 28′, (PEN) 37′, (PEN) 52′, Le Garrec 45+5′, Becho 90+10′

Kadidiatou Diani hit a historic hat-trick for France as they recovered from an early setback to hit Panama for five and secure top spot in Group F.

Panama took a shock lead after just 67 seconds against big favourites France with their first World Cup goal as Marta Cox curled home a stunning free-kick to mark their maiden strike in the competition in style.

That lasted 20 minutes until France levelled through Maëlle Lakrar, whose header took a deflection en route to goal before finding the net.

It didn’t take long for the second to arrive and complete the turnaround for Herve Renard’s side as Diani followed up on the rebound to finish emphatically for her first goal of the tournament.

And having waited three games for her first of the competition, she swiftly added another from the penalty spot before Lea Le Garrec made it four deep into first half stoppage time.

France kept up their assault after the interval as Diani claimed the match ball with France’s first World Cup hat-trick, her third again coming via a penalty before Panama reduced the arrears with the game’s third spot kick.

They added a consolation third late on as Lineth Cedeño claimed her first goal of the tournament but there was still time for France to finish with a flourish as Vicki Becho got the goal her performance deserved on the 100-minute mark.

Colombia, Germany or Morocco will await France in the next round.

Italy out as South Africa pull off stunning win

Scorers: Orsi OG 31′, Magaia 67′, Kgatlana 90+2′; Caruso (PEN) 11′, 74′

South Africa produced a huge World Cup shock as they came from behind to beat Italy and advance at their expense thanks to a 92nd minute winner after a back-and-forth affair.

However, things didn’t start well for the underdogs and with just 11 minutes on the clock, Italy hit the front when the tournament’s spate of penalties continued in controversial fashion, allowing Arianna Caruso to net coolly from the spot.

However, shortly after the half hour mark, South Africa levelled in bizarre fashion as Benedetta Orsi made a mess of a misplaced back pass which skewed past her goalkeeper for parity at half-time.

Hildah Magaia and Thembi Kgatlana forced the issue further after the break for a resurgent Bayana Bayana but they were almost caught cold after an hour as Jermaine Seoposenwe was forced to clear from the line to keep Italy at bay.

And that block and their endeavour was soon rewarded when Magaia swept home to put her side in the driving seat, only for Milena Bertolini’s side to haul themselves off the canvas when Caruso got the final touch from a corner to level, which looked set to send Italy through.

That was until South Africa struck on 92 minutes through Kgatlana for their first ever World Cup win and a goal which put them into the knockout stage – and sent the Azzurre home.

They will take on the Netherlands in the last 16.

Sweden secure top spot to tee up USA tie

Scorers: Blomqvist 66′, Rubensson (PEN) 90′

Elsewhere, Sweden swept Argentina aside with ease to finish top of Group G and set up a mouthwatering tie with holders USA.

The first half in Hamilton ended scoreless, with few opportunities at either end, with the European side perhaps feeling the effects of making nine changes to the team which thrashed Italy.

The second half followed a similar pattern until Sweden finally broke Argentina’s resistance on 66 minutes when a delightful delivery from Sofia Jakobsson was met by a Rebecka Blomqvist header to break the deadlock.

And Sweden maintained their 100% record by wrapping things up with an injury-time penalty through Elin Rubensson, with the USA next up in Melbourne on Sunday.