Marta, Who?

On 9th June 2019, basically yesterday, the women’s national team of Brazil thrashed Jamaica 3-0 on their first match of Group C and they strengthen themselves as the favorite to win the France 2019 Women’s World Cup, a match that took place at the Stade des Alpes in the city of Grenoble.

The absence of Marta, the great star of Brazil, was the main point at the start of this game, but, clearly, it wasn’t noticed in the field, as former PSG’s star Cristiane took the role the iconic Brazilian player would do in these cases. The recent Sao Paulo’s signing scored a memorable hat-trick that completely sank Jamaica, who debuted in a poor way in their first ever World Cup.

The contribution of Cristiane was key, but FC Barcelona’s Andressa Alves also did her part during the match. Alves offered all her virtues so the Canarinha could display their best possible game in the Women’s World Cup and show the world why Brazil is a nation everyone should fear. It’s true that teams like France and United States are the clear favorites to lift the trophy at the end of the tournament, but if Brazil can win that good without Marta, what can they do with her?

Clearly, the starting match for Brazil was almost overwhelming against the people who accused they couldn’t do anything without their big stars. Despite the injuries, without Erika, back home, and especially without Marta, on the bench, the Canarinha started in France 2019 with a resounding victory after going to the field with a clear offensive mindset that completely broke Jamaica’s defense.

With just only 15 minutes in the game, Barcelona’s striker Andressa Alves, very mobile, changed quickly from the right wing to the left side of the pitch and did a perfect center pass to the area, that Cristiane scored the first goal with a magnificent header (1-0, minute 15th).

Vadao’s pupils fluently overcame a too permeable Jamaica. Debinha had the second goal in her boots, but the Caribbean goalkeeper, Sydney Scheiner, was on fire, not letting any Brazilian to score another goal. She even stopped a penalty from Andressa Alves in the 38th minute!

It looked like Jamaica was getting back into the match, with several approaches and shots by Shaw that forced Brazilian goalie Barbara to also show her class to stop the opposition attack. That dynamism and the fast game opened options for Jamaica, but, in the end, they couldn’t overcome what was coming.

In contrast, Brazil practically closed the match at the start of the second half with a new center pass from Andressa, from the right, which Cristiane place at the far post (2-0, minute 50th). With the end near, Jamaica refused to surrender. They tried to react and came back with danger, but their lack of success, accompanied by Brazilian efficiency, prevented them from doing so. In the end, Cristiane, once again, completed its hat-trick, after a direct free kick in the 64th minute (3-0).

After so many doubts, disappointments and some consecutive defeats in a row, Brazil finally presented its credentials to set a good World Cup with a fearsome offensive facet, which clearly gives us more than one surprise. However, they must endorse it in the following games, Australia and Italy, to come. Anyways, even if Brazil has Marta, it’s clear there’s another big star on the national team. Watch out world: Cristiane has come, and she’s here to lift that World Cup!