Jamaica held Brazil to a goalless draw to reach their first-ever World Cup knockout stage match and send Brazil packing, as their long wait for an elusive Women’s World Cup continues.
Jamaica went into the game knowing that they would need a monumental result to reach the World Cup Round of 16 for the first time ever.
Brazil, on the other hand, knew that only a win would see them progress to the next round of the tournament.
Jamaica held FIFA’s 5th-ranked France to a goalless draw last week, and today they also held on as they battled their way through to progress against a Brazilian side widely considered one of the pre-tournament favorites.
Jamaica knew they had to defend, and they did just that. Rebecca Spencer, the Jamaican goalkeeper was magnificent in goal again.
Jamaica ended their group stage campaign without conceding a single goal, which is almost impossible to imagine given that they lost their 3 Group Stage matches at the last edition of the Women’s World Cup tournament.
Jamaica Coach Lorne Donaldson speaking to ITV during a post-match interview said, “I tell you what, this is one of the best feelings I’ve ever had in my life! To see these girls, to see a country like Jamaica, to be able to do this, is unbelievable to just watch it while I am alive, right here, standing.
“I thank the girls to do this for their country, and the country should be proud. The resilience! The fight! We know it’s a war and we have to be ready.
“We stayed in the battle and we won the war. We have some more work to do but we’ll enjoy tonight.
“I did a cartwheel (Donaldson had promised to do one if Jamaica got through) but I don’t know if it was a good one. I can’t do two cartwheels, I might hurt myself! A cup of beer and I’m good, I’m not a big drinker. I will enjoy it!”
Jamaica will likely face Columbia in the Round of 16 if Columbia tops Group H.
