As it has been for so long throughout her extraordinary 21-year international career, it’s all about Marta in Naarm/Melbourne on Wednesday evening. There was an enormous roar when she was announced as a starter pre-game, and the Brazilian fans are erupting every time she goes near the ball. Brazil need a win over Jamaica to extend the retiring star’s career, and at half-time they’ve dominated possession (76 per cent) without necessarily bothering Tottenham goalkeeper Becky Spencer. Their best chance came in the 39th minute, through a Tamires strike to the near post, but Spencer was equal to the challenge. Pre-tournament, Marta’s teammates said they were intent on honouring arguably the greatest footballer of all time, and tonight they look anxious to deliver on that promise; perhaps overly anxious.
dan