Ary Borges scored a hat trick on her World Cup debut, but it was her assist for Zaneratto’s second-half strike that was the standout moment of the match in Adelaide and arguably the tournament so far.
When Debinha’s cross landed at Borges’ feet toward the end of a sweeping move, the forward, who had struck twice in the first half, looked set to add a third. Instead, she checked, wrong-footed Panama’s defense and backheeled to Zaneratto, who lifted her shot into the top corner.
It was a goal full of the flair that Brazilian soccer is famed for. Following on from Germany’s 6-0 rout of Morocco earlier Monday, Pia Sundhage’s Brazilian lineup produced a statement performance. It means a win against France on Saturday will ensure Brazil advances to the knockout stages from Group F.
Panama, making its debut at the tournament, could do little to keep the 2007 runners-up at bay, with Borges ruthless in front of goal. For Borges, her introduction to the World Cup could hardly have been more emphatic.
She struck twice in the first half and completed her hat trick in the 70th minute after providing her inspired assist for Zaneratto. Borges headed Brazil in front in the 19th from close range after meeting a cross from Debinha.
She got her second in the 39th when turning in the rebound after her initial header was saved by Panama goalkeeper Yenith Bailey. Her third was another header, this time from Geyse’s cross. Borges was replaced by Brazil legend Marta late in the match.
It was the 37-year-old Marta’s sixth World Cup and she is the competition’s all-time leading scorer with 17 goals. Borges has a long way to get close to that mark, but she’s off to a good start.
Brazil plays France in Brisbane on Saturday when a win would see it qualify from Group F. Panama plays Jamaica in Perth on the same day.
Girelli scores historic goal in Italy’s win
Cristiana Girelli became the first Italian to score in two Women’s World Cups with her goal in the 87th minute that gave Italy a 1-0 win in its tournament opener against Argentina on Monday night.
“There’s nothing special, it’s just that I did my duty,” Girelli said. “I did my best. I was really willing to help my teammates.”
Italy put the ball in the back of the net twice in the opening half but both times were offside, before Girelli’s breakthrough header. Girelli came into the match as a substitute in the 83rd minute.
The Italians have never dropped an opening match at the World Cup. But this time they faced tenacious Argentina, eager for its first-ever win in the tournament. Going into the World Cup, La Albiceleste were inspired by their men’s side and star Lionel Messi, who brought home the World Cup trophy from Qatar late last year.
Popp’s brace powers Germany to 6-0 rout of Morocco
Alexandra Popp scored twice in the first half and Germany added four more in the second in a 6-0 rout of a Morocco team on its debut at the Women’s World Cup on Monday.
The margin of victory is the largest of the tournament so far as the two-time champions dominated throughout against Morocco, the first Arab and North African country to qualify for the tournament
Popp scored her 63rd and 64th international goals, moving to third on Germany’s all-time list. The Wolfsburg forward quickly made her mark on the tournament after missing out on the final of the 2022 European Championship against England because of injury.
The second half featured two Morocco own-goals sandwiched between goals from Klara Bühl and Lea Schüller.
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