While Marta’s sixth World Cup could have been one too many, there will be questions on whether Pia Sundhage is the right coach to lead Brazil.
There is no spin to be put on this, no ‚positives to be taken‘ from Brazil’s exit from the Women’s World Cup. The team had a full cycle of preparation, with unprecedented resources, under the command of a top class coach in Pia Sundhage — and will now leave after the group stage for the first time since 1995.
It is an unmitigated disaster. It is also a melancholic end to the World Cup career of the great Marta — almost as melancholic as her performances in this tournament.
– Women’s World Cup bracket and fixtures schedule
But Jamaica were able to smother that danger, as opponents have been able to smother Marta in this competition. Her sixth World Cup may well have been one too many. It has been some time since she has been able to tip the balance on an individual level. Tellingly, 14 of her 17 World Cup goals came in the first three tournaments she played. The final three brought just one goal from open play.
But if she has been overtaken, that is not only the consequence of the inevitable decline of age. It is also the product of the rapid development of the sport — something that she did more than anyone else to bring about. In that sense, she is a victim of her own success — which might give a small crumb of consolation on the long trip back from Australia.
Brazil met Jamaica in their opening game of the previous World Cup. Brazil won 3-0, with all the goals coming from veteran striker Cristiane. Sundhage took charge after the tournament.
