End of an Era for Brazil as Marta Bows Out of Sixth World Cup

Brazil's forward #10 Marta waves to the crowd after the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup Group F football match between Jamaica and Brazil at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, also known as AAMI Park, in Melbourne on August 2, 2023. (AFP)
Brazil's forward #10 Marta waves to the crowd after the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup Group F football match between Jamaica and Brazil at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, also known as AAMI Park, in Melbourne on August 2, 2023. (AFP)
TT
20

End of an Era for Brazil as Marta Bows Out of Sixth World Cup

Brazil's forward #10 Marta waves to the crowd after the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup Group F football match between Jamaica and Brazil at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, also known as AAMI Park, in Melbourne on August 2, 2023. (AFP)
Brazil's forward #10 Marta waves to the crowd after the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women's World Cup Group F football match between Jamaica and Brazil at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, also known as AAMI Park, in Melbourne on August 2, 2023. (AFP)

Brazil exited the World Cup on Wednesday hoping a new generational talent will emerge as Marta's sixth and final Women's World Cup ended with a 0-0 draw against Jamaica that sent the Caribbean side to the last 16.

Her teammates had promised a better send-off for the iconic forward affectionately known as "Queen Marta" in soccer-mad Brazil but none could find a way through the Jamaicans at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

Marta, the tournament's all-time highest scorer with 17 goals, may have been the most frustrated of them all, having had her chances in a match in which they needed three points.

Starting on field for the first time in the tournament, her teammates found her a number of times in the area but she could not conjure the magic touch wielded at five previous World Cups.

The 37-year-old tired as Jamaica stayed firm in defense and she came off in the 80th minute to cheers from anxious Brazil fans.

Having won virtually every individual award in women's football, Marta missed out on the World Cup she had craved, and Brazil's wait for a first goes on.

With the team crashing out of the group stage for the first time in 28 years, questions will be asked about their preparations and tactics under coach Pia Sundhage.

Though contracted for another year, Sundhage conceded her future may be out of her hands.

The Swede was blunt about Brazil's need to regenerate, likely without the player who has dominated women's soccer in the country for decades.

Sundhage said she had no idea whether Marta wanted to play on for the national team but suspected she would because of her love of the game.

"Whether she’s good enough to be called up to the national team, let’s see," said Sundhage.

"As long as I am coaching the national team, I am going to do a lot of work to find new players.

"That means it’s going to be harder for Marta to play going forward."



Spurs Midfielder Maddison Silences Critics with Winner Against Man United 

Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - February 16, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur's James Maddison celebrates scoring their first goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - February 16, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur's James Maddison celebrates scoring their first goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
TT
20

Spurs Midfielder Maddison Silences Critics with Winner Against Man United 

Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - February 16, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur's James Maddison celebrates scoring their first goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - February 16, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur's James Maddison celebrates scoring their first goal. (Action Images via Reuters)

James Maddison delivered the perfect riposte to his doubters by scoring the winning goal against Manchester United after the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder had come in for some stinging criticism in the lead-up to Sunday's Premier League match.

Making his first start since suffering a calf injury in December, Maddison tapped in a rebound from close range to give his side a 1-0 win in London, celebrating his goal with a shushing gesture.

Earlier in the week, former Manchester United captain Roy Keane had said anyone who thought Maddison's return to the side would help Spurs break into the top six was living in "cuckoo land."

"He got relegated with Leicester and he'll get relegated with Spurs," Keane said on "The Overlap" podcast.

"There was a little bit of outside noise this week," Maddison, who joined Spurs from Leicester City in 2023, told Sky Sports.

"People will have their opinions, but I wanted to do my talking on the pitch. I hope there is a certain few that enjoyed me being the match-winner today.

"Nobody is more critical of myself than me," he added.

"To be fair to the gaffer, he always talks about blocking out the outside noise, but sometimes it's difficult, you know. It's constantly in your face, social media and WhatsApp."

Despite the win Spurs remain in the bottom half of the table, sitting in 12th spot on 30 points after 25 games. They visit Ipswich Town on Saturday.