Jamaica, South Africa make World Cup history

MELBOURNE, Australia — Jamaica's third consecutive shutout — a 0-0 draw against Brazil on Wednesday — sent the Reggae Girlz through to the knockout stages of the Women's World Cup for the first time. Finishing second in Group F, Jamaica didn't concede a goal against France and Brazil or in its 1-0 win over Panama. The Jamaicans joined Switzerland and Japan as the only teams to keep clean sheets in all three group-stage games in the tournament being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. "We knew coming into the tournament that we were facing very tough opposition, and attacking quality was at the highest level, so we knew defensively we had to be sound," Jamaica midfielder Atlanta Primus said. "Coming out with two clean sheets against top 10 sides, we're very happy with that." The team's string of shutouts in its second World Cup appearance contrasts its debut in the 2019, when the Reggae Girlz conceded 12 goals in three games. "It was a proverbial 'deer in the headlights' syndrome," Jamaica head coach Lorne Donaldson said of the 2019 campaign. "We were a very young team, and I think we were happy to be there." Jamaica goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer made eight saves against Brazil, including shots from Marta — the tournament's all-time leading scorer — in the fifth and 11th minutes. "If the team is defending well, then I've got full confidence in everyone that we can keep a clean sheet, and I have confidence in myself too," Spencer said. "We can take the momentum on. If you don't concede goals, you can't lose." The Reggae Girlz have qualified for the knockout stage amid a public fundraising effort to support the team at the World Cup, and players posting a statement calling on the Jamaican Football Federation to provide better pay, facilities and resources. "The better we do, the more pressure it creates," Spencer said. "We hope that they're looking at us and taking us seriously now, and then they can give us what we deserve." South Africa advances out of group for first time WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Player of the match Hildah Magaia called the moment "life-changing." Coach Desiree Ellis flagged something deeper, though, after South Africa beat Italy 3-2 Wednesday to qualify for the round of 16 at a Women's World Cup for the first time. South Africa had to beat eighth-ranked Italy to progress. A draw would have been enough to take Italy through. The halftime score was 1-1 after Arianna Caruso's penalty and Benedetta Orsi's own goal. Magaia scored to put South Africa ahead 2-1 and left them on the brink of history, before Caruso equalized from a Cristiana Girelli corner. At last, in the second minute of stoppage time, Magaia provided the assist for Themba Kgatlana's match-winner and South Africa was through in a moment of huge significance for women's sport in their country. "They call me the breadwinner. So without the breadwinner, there's no bread," Magaia said. "I had to provide the bread for the nation." "This really means a lot," she added, "especially knowing that we were so close to going home. It is an emotional one." Magaia's comment carried literal force. In advancing to the last 16, each South Africa player will take home at least $60,000, a life-altering sum. Magaia said she now will be able to properly care for her mother. A dispute over pay that clouded South Africa's preparation and only was resolved on the eve of the world tournament, now is well in the background, one of many trials the team had to overcome to get to the World Cup. All of that struggle was reflected in their jubilation at fulltime. As the second half seesawed they threw everything into a last bid for victory "I think there was a time on the line when we had five coaches and the captain giving direction, it was that tough," Ellis, the veteran coach, said. "We knew it was going to be a tough game but we knew what we were capable of. "The girls are just freaking amazing. I mean I speak through every challenge they faced in the past," she added. "We know that no-one gave us a chance today but we knew what we were capable of and they fought like warriors out there." Sweden sets up matchup with U.S. HAMILTON, New Zealand — Rebecka Blomqvist's second-half goal lifted Sweden to a 2-0 win over Argentina on Wednesday to advance the Blagult to a round-of-16 showdown with the United States in the Women's World Cup. Argentina was eliminated from the tournament. Neither side looked close to scoring for much of the match until Blomqvist broke the deadlock with a headed goal at the 66th-minute mark to help the blue and yellow finish 3-0 and win Group G. The clash between the United States, the two-time reigning World Cup champions, and third-ranked Sweden will be their seventh meeting and tie the record for the most-played matchup in Women's World Cup history.