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Jamaica held off Brazil to secure a famous 0-0 draw in Melbourne and seal their place in the Round of 16 at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup™.

With France defeating Panama, a draw for Jamaica would be enough to progress but they faced a Brazil side intent on rebounding from their loss to France earlier in the tournament.

Having already held France to a draw in their opening match, Jamaica showed similar resolve to produce an outstanding defensive display against the Brazilians, keeping chances to a minimum with goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer enjoying a fairly comfortable outing.

Six-time World Player of the Year Marta started for Brazil but even with her experience and goalscoring prowess, there was no way through a tough and resolute Reggae Girlz defence and the Caribbean side held on to make history in Melbourne.

Jamaica: 0
Brazil: 0

HT: 0-0

France scored six on their way to victory against Panama to confirm their place as group winners in a match high on chances and goals in Sydney.

Panama went into their final group match already knowing their fate of elimination but performed admirably against one of the competition’s stronger sides, getting their first goals of the World Cup in front of a supportive crowd at the Sydney Football Stadium.

The first of their three goals was the opening effort, coming after only a minute via a stunning Marta Cox free-kick to give the tournament debutants dreams of an unlikely victory. Three goals in quick succession put paid to those aspirations however, when Maelle Lakrar, Kadidiatou Diani and then Diani again found the net within the space of 16 first-half minutes.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 02: Kadidiatou Diani of France celebrates scoring her team’s fifth goal and her hat-trick from the penalty spot during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group F match between Panama and France at Sydney Football Stadium on August 02, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Maddie Meyer – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

A Lea Le Garrec effort in stoppage time meant the teams went into the break with the score 4-1.

Diani completed her hat-trick with a second penalty early in the half before Yomira Pinzon responded with a spot-kick of her own. Lineth Cedeno pulled another back before Vicki Becho put the seal on matters deep into injury time.

Panama: 3 (Marta COX 2′, Yomira PINZON (P) 64′, Lineth CEDENO 87′)
France: 6 (Maelle LAKRAR 21′, Kadidiatou DIANI 28′, (P) 37′, (P) 52′, Lea LE GARREC 45+5′, Vicki BECHO 90+10′)

HT: 1-4

Sweden made it three wins from three with a confident 2-0 victory over Argentina in Hamilton – a result that confirmed the South Americans’ exit.

Having already confirmed their progress, the Swedes made a number of changes to their starting XI and had to wait until midway through the second period to open the scoring.

HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND – AUGUST 02: Linda Sembrant and Stina Lennartsson of Sweden celebrate the team’s 2-0 victory and qualification to the knockout stage following the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group G match between Argentina and Sweden at Waikato Stadium on August 02, 2023 in Hamilton, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Rebecka Blomqvist’s second-half header gave them a 1-0 lead and made Argentina’s tall order even more challenging, before the finishing touches were applied by Elin Rubensson from the penalty spot as the clocked ticked over 90.

The reward for their efforts is a Round of 16 tie against the defending champions USA on Sunday.

Argentina: 0
Sweden: 2 (Rebecka BLOMQVIST 66′, Elin RUBENSSON (P) 90′)

HT: 0-0

South Africa made FIFA Women’s World Cup™ history with a famous 3-2 victory over Italy in Wellington to progress to the knockout stages for the first time ever.

Despite knowing a victory was their only chance of advancing to the Round of 16, South Africa struggled early on and fell behind to an 11th minute penalty from Arianna Caruso.

The lead didn’t last too long however, when Benedetta Orsi turned the ball into her own net to level matters.

With twenty minutes remaining, Hildah Magaia gave the Africans a dream lead with a drilled low finish that gave Italian ‘keeper Francesca Durante little chance. They were pegged back however 7 minutes later when Caruso grabbed her second to set Italy up to progress.

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – AUGUST 02: Linda Motlhalo of South Africa celebrates winning and advancing to the knockouts in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group G match between South Africa and Italy at Wellington Regional Stadium on August 02, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

In the second minute of stoppage time however, Thembi Kgatlana was given a glorious opportunity to win the game when set up by Jermaine Seoposenwe and she didn’t disappoint – calmly side-footing past Durante to seal a famous victory and make history for her nation.

A Round of 16 tie against the impressive Dutch now lies in store for South Africa this weekend.

South Africa: 3 (Own Goal 32′, Hildah MAGAIA 67′, Thembi KGATLANA 90+2′)
Italy: 2 (Arianna CARUSO (P) 11′, 74′)