In only their second Women’s World Cup, brave Jamaica held Brazil to a 0-0 draw on Wednesday to advance to the knockout round for the first time while handing the South Americans their early exit since 1995.
The Reggae Girlz scarcely threatened to score, but they played tight defence in a frantic atmosphere at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium as they needed a point to advance. The overwhelmed Jamaicans expressed their joy as they bent their knees after the final whistle and yelled with joy before forming a circle and swaying to the song “One Love” by Bob Marley.
The Jamaicans have made significant progress in a short period of time after losing all of their games in France four years ago. They have advanced to the knockouts and ate placed second in group F behind France. They defeated Panama 1-0 and drew an important match with France.
In the dying seconds, Brazil had one more opportunity to score, but Debinha’s header went straight to the goalkeeper, allowing the Jamaicans to enjoy possibly their greatest moment in international football.