Brazil vs. Australia: Score, Twitter Reaction for 2015 Women’s Soccer World Cup – Bleacher Report

It took 350 minutes of play for Brazil to finally concede a goal in the 2015 Women’s World Cup, but one good strike was all it took to send them packing from this year’s tournament in Canada.

Australia super-sub Kyah Simon knocked in an 80th-minute rebound shot off a strong Lisa De Vanna attempt to spur her side to a historic, shocking 1-0 victory over Brazil on Sunday from Moncton Stadium in Moncton, New Brunswick.  

Yahoo Sports’ Graham Watson provided a look at the decisive strike:

Kyah Simon gets the go-ahead goal for #AUS after Luciana mishandles a shot by De Vanna. https://t.co/SCnZKzMvJO

— Graham Watson (@Yahoo_Graham) June 21, 2015

FIFA Women’s World Cup pointed out it was Australia’s first knockout-stage win at women’s soccer’s biggest tournament:

HISTORY! #AUS win first ever World Cup knockout match.
#FIFAWWC #BRAAUS
http://t.co/MjcULDC8gA pic.twitter.com/rH47FbbMfO

— FIFA Women’sWorldCup (@FIFAWWC) June 21, 2015

The goal served as Simon’s team-leading third of the tournament. Before the match, she credited head coach Alen Stajcic for instilling a strong sense of belief in the squad.

“Something as little as belief can go a long way in a team. Just the way that we play, we’re so much more confident within ourselves and each other,” she said, via Football Australia’s Josh Bennett.

Australia becomes the third team to reach the quarterfinals in this year’s expanded edition of the World Cup, joining Germany and China in the next round. The Aussies await the winner of the Japan-Netherlands matchup.

It’s another heartbreaking World Cup exit for the Brazilians, as they were bounced from the 2011 tournament by a late United States comeback in the quarterfinals. Brazil managed 14 shots to Australia’s nine, but were unable to best Australia keeper Lydia Williams, who put in a fine showing with six saves.

There was little doubt the Matildas would have a great challenge ahead of them in breaking down Brazil’s defense. The tournament’s official Twitter account pointed out Brazil took a perfect defensive record into the round of 16:

20 mins in. #BRA are the only team not to have conceded a goal this #FIFAWWC. Will #AUS find a breakthrough? #BRAAUS pic.twitter.com/X73jroo9RE

— FIFA Women’sWorldCup (@FIFAWWC) June 21, 2015

Brazil’s attack still left much to be desired, scoring just four goals in three group stage matches despite featuring the formidable offensive talents of Marta, Formiga and midfielder Andressa Alves. 

It was indeed Australia who had the better run out in the first half. The Aussies managed two corners within the first 15 minutes of play; in their 1-1 draw against Sweden, they managed all of one. 

Forward Michelle Heyman and Samantha Kerr did well to put pressure on Brazil’s back line, making darting runs and chasing down long balls. Caitlin Foord and Emily Van Egmond were also bright spots coming down the right flank. Australia did well to win corners and free kicks, but the shot attempts came few and far between and there was little quality interplay in the final third.

Brazil has been a top team in women’s soccer for some time, but they struggled to put together a consistent attack. Their best moment came on a long-range strike from the ageless Formiga in the 28th minute. The swerving shot induced a brilliant top-corner save from Williams.

Seattle Reign FC standout Jess Fishlock was impressed with Formiga’s attempt: 

Formiga … Unbelievable ! She’s been great all tourno … Key to Brazil as much as Marta !

— Jessica Fishlock (@JessFishlock) June 21, 2015

The second half brought rain and improved play from Brazil, who did a better job of pouring forward and challenging Williams. A low Marta strike in the 61st minute that Williams parried set up a Brazil corner, and Formiga again came achingly close to breaking the deadlock, only to see her strong header bounce off the post and out of harm’s way. 

With Formiga making her presence felt, it was Marta who drew attention for her inability to conjure up her usual brilliance.

The Intercept’s Andrew Jerell Jones didn’t see much of a burst from the Brazilian superstar:

Marta just not able to show real pace this tourney. She never had Sisi or Prethina speed, but still no real burst. Ordinary so far #FIFAWWC

— Andrew Jerell Jones (@sluggahjells) June 21, 2015

While former USA standout Julie Foudy called for more from the 29-year-old:

Will the Real Marta please stand up. Love the industrious Marta, but I want to see the magical Marta. #BRAAUS

— Julie Foudy (@JulieFoudy) June 21, 2015

Australia had mustered little in the way of an attack in the second frame, and its moment of magic came well against the run of play, with much credit going to a pair of substitutes.

Katrina Gorry—on for Tameka Butt in the 72nd minute—dispossessed Brazil just inside its own half, and immediately sent a well-weighted pass down the right flank to a breaking De Vanna. 

The ref’s flag stayed down, and De Vanna sent a hard shot straight at Brazil keeper Luciana. She was unable to control the ball, and it bounced into the path of Simon—on for Heyman in the 64th minute—who did well to pop it into the back of the net. Those were Australia’s first two on-target attempts of the match.

Sports Illustrated‘s Grant Wahl noted De Vanna and Simon—who have accounted for every one of Australia’s goals in Canada—have been major threats all tournament:

Kyah Simon & Lisa De Vanna have been menaces this whole tournament. Deserved goal to go up 1-0 on #BRA. 1st goal conceded by Brazilians.

— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) June 21, 2015

Brazil put forth a frantic, furious attempt to equalize. Cristiane managed a dangerous header off a free kick in the 90th minute, but Williams handled it well to snuff out Brazil’s only real threatening play at the death. 

Australia has turned in bright performances all tournament long, and there’s no telling how far the world No. 10 team can advance in Canada. While the Matildas would certainly rather see the Netherlands in the quarterfinals—the Dutch finished third in their group, conceding twice—it’s more likely they will see Japan, the defending World Cup champions. Japan’s defense has been excellent in this tournament, but Australia proved on Sunday it’s capable of bringing down some of the best players in the world.