FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011, Brazil Vs. Norway: Marta Leads Brazil To Victory

Besides Marta’s one moment of individual brilliance, Brazil did not look good in the first half of their 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup match against Norway. To be fair, Norway didn’t look good either, but much more was expected from Brazil than what they showed for the first 135 minutes of the World Cup. To start the second half, Norway and Brazil looked like completely different teams, as Brazil came alive while Norway lost their focus.

Brazil doubled their lead right off of the halftime whistle, thanks to some more brilliance from Marta and a very good finish by Rosana. In the 46th minute, Marta picked up the ball on the left flank and made a brilliant, powerful run through the defense to the edge of the 18 yard box. After baiting four defenders to swarm around her, she laid a ball across the box towards Formica, who dummied the ball to Rosana. The striker netted her second goal of the tournament with a tidy finish to the far post, giving Brazil a 2-0 lead.

Just two minutes later, Brazil would put the game to rest when a terrible giveaway at the back resulted in the ball falling to the feet of Marta, who patiently waited for her opening and snuck a shot into the back of the net after faking out the defense and goalkeeper. After a poor performance in Brazil’s first game, Marta was unquestionably brilliant and the woman of the match on Sunday night, scoring two goals and notching an assist to guide her team into the World Cup quarterfinals.

On July 6, Norway and Australia, both sitting on three points, meet for a spot in the quarterfinals. Norway will need to win that game outright, as Australia have the better goal differential.