The Women’s World Cup has been full of action and today’s games were intense and shocking. Brazil and Marta fail to score and get sent home along with Italy who were stunned by South Africa in the dying moments of the game. France cruise to the round of 16 along with Sweden who eliminated this year’s Men’s winner Argentina. As we say goodbye to Brazil, we say goodbye to Marta, one of the greatest players to ever play the game in all but story tale fashion.

Argentina vs Sweden (0-2)

Sweden secured a victory in Group G, earning them a spot in the Round of 16 against the United States on Sunday. Their 2-0 win against Argentina, who needed a victory to advance, marked the end of Argentina's World Cup journey. Sweden scored both goals in the second half, with Rebecka Blomqvist finding the net with a header in the 66th minute, and Elin Rubensson converting a penalty kick in the 90th minute. Sweden made nine changes in their starting lineup, choosing to rest key players ahead of the knockout stage.

South Africa vs Italy (3-2)

South Africa created history with a stunning upset victory over Italy in the Women's World Cup, securing a 3-2 win with a late goal by Thembi Kgatlana. This victory, which came at the expense of the Europeans, propelled South Africa to the knockout stages for the first time ever. Hildah Magaia and Kgatlana stood out with their impressive performances, showcasing speed and precision in front of the goal. Although Italy initially took the lead, South Africa fought back, and despite Italy's dominance in possession, South Africa capitalized on their opportunities to secure a memorable win and advance to the next round where they will face the Netherlands.

Panama vs France (3-6)

In a match where France dominated, Panama surprised with an early goal by Marta Cox through a remarkable free kick. However, Panama’s success was short lived because France quickly responded, scoring five consecutive goals in the following minutes. Kadidiatou Diani was instrumental in the comeback, netting two penalty kicks and completing a hat trick for Les Bleus. France advance to the round of 16 while Panama go home having lost all of their games in the tournament.

Jamaica vs Brazil (0-0)

Brazil's Marta, a legendary player with a two-decade World Cup history, saw her journey come to an end as Jamaica held Brazil to a scoreless draw, preventing them from advancing to the Round of 16. Despite the disappointing outcome, Marta expressed gratitude for her World Cup experiences and acknowledged the progress of women's football globally. Jamaica's impressive performance, including a draw against France and a victory against Panama, marked a significant achievement for the team, especially considering their challenging financial situation before the tournament. As Marta's career comes to a close, she passed on the torch to rising stars like Jamaica's forward Khadija Shaw, who idolized her and acknowledged her impact on the game.

Player Spotlight - Marta

Marta Vieira da Silva, commonly known as Marta, is a Brazilian women's soccer player who is often regarded as the greatest female footballer of all time. Born on February 19, 1986, in Dois Riachos, Brazil, Marta's career is filled with captivating and unique facts. One remarkable aspect is her record-breaking success in individual awards, as she has been awarded the FIFA World Player of the Year six times, more than any other male or female player in history.

Marta's career has been characterized by her technical finesse, agility, and ability to mesmerize defenders with her dribbling. She has also had successful stints with club teams in various countries, including Umeå IK and FC Rosengård in Sweden, as well as the Orlando Pride where she currently plays. Marta's contributions to the sport extend beyond her on-field performances, as she has been an advocate for gender equality in soccer, using her platform to fight for equal opportunities and recognition for female players. Her remarkable talent, record-breaking achievements, and influential advocacy have solidified her status as one of the greatest and most inspiring figures in women's soccer history.

An early exit in this year’s World Cup was not the way that she envisioned her World Cup run ending. Because she failed to score in the group stages, Marta misses out on a chance to become the first women to score in 6 consecutive World Cups however she does leave the World Cup as Brazil’s all time leading goal scorer and a legend of the game.