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Posted: 2023-07-24 05:43:13

Brazil has opened its account with a comprehensive 4-0 win over debutants Panama at Hindmarsh Stadium to complete day 5 at the Women's World Cup.

In Adelaide/Tarntanya, the South American champions led 2-0 at half-time after a strong start, and they doubled the margin after the break with Ary Borges finishing with a hat-trick.

Earlier, Germany produced a brilliant performance to beat another Women's World Cup newcomer, Morocco, 6-0 in Melbourne/Naarm.

And in a physical opening match of the day, Italy defeated Argentina 1-0 in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau.

Borges struck twice in the first half before completing her hat-trick after break, while also supplying a stunning assist for Brazil's third.

A Brazilian player leaps into a goalscorer's arms as her team celebrates.

Ary Borges (L) turned provider for Bia Zaneratto (2nd L) just after half-time, to put Panama away in their Women's World Cup opener. (Getty Images: FIFA/Chris Hyde)

Panama, competing in their maiden FIFA Women's World Cup, were no match for the Brazilians who dominated play from start to finish on Monday.

They were on the front foot as early as the first minute when Bia Zaneratto slipped through Adriana who tried to poke it past the on-rushing Yenith Bailey but the Panama goalkeeper blocked the effort.

Brazil peppered Panama's goal and on 18 minutes Debinha's free kick from 25 metres whizzed just past the post.

The Selecao eventually broke the deadlock a minute later and Debinha was involved again, this time cutting inside from the left and delivering a cross to the far post. Borges slipped her marker and found herself unguarded to nod home from six yards.

Borges grabbed her brace in the 39th minute in similar fashion to her first. Adriana released Tamires on the left who drove to the byline and lifted a cross to the back post.

Borges' header was saved by Bailey, but the rebound fell perfectly for the Brazilian midfielder to slam home from close range.

Brazil wasted no time following the interval and added a third three minutes after the restart with a stunning team effort and an early contender for goal of the tournament.

Tamires slipped through Debinha on the left who played a one-two inside the area with Adriana, who completed the return pass with a clever flick.

Debihna crossed to the penalty spot where Borges controlled and shaped to shoot, before teeing up Bia Zaneratto with a delightful backheel. With Panama keeper Bailey already committed, Bia Zaneratto fired into the back of the net.

Brazil scored their fourth in the 70th minute, as Borges completed her hat-trick after another incursion down the left.

Substitute Monica cut back and lobbed a cross to the penalty spot with her right foot where Borges ghosted through the area and headed through the legs of Bailey.

AAP/ABC

Look back on the day's action in our blog.

FULL-TIME: Brazil 4 - 0 Panama

Earlier:

Germany 6 - 0 Morocco

Italy 1 - 0 Argentina

See you next time

Thanks for hanging out today, we had fun didn't we?

I'll be back in a couple of days, but our coverage continues tomorrow with:

  • Colombia vs South Korea
  • New Zealand vs Phillipines
  • Switzerland vs Norway

Enjoy!

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Big guns shine at last

Zaneratto celebrates
(Getty)

After some mediocre performances from some of the pre-tournament favourites so far, today we saw wins from footballing big guns Italy, Germany and Brazil - with the latter two in particular serving up statement wins.

It's early days, but Germany's 6-0 over Morocco and Brazil's dazzling 4-0 over Panama will have the other contenders worried.

Some of the groups are starting to shape up very nicely - particularly Group F.

Very much looking forward to Brazil's clash with France in Brisbane in five days' time.

There were 11 goals today - but if you're going to watch one, check out Brazil's third goal, the epitomy of Joga bonito, finished off by Zaneratto.

FULL-TIME: Brazil 4 - 0 Panama

That was highly impressive from Brazil, with some breathtaking football played tonight.

They deserved their four goal, and Ary Borges will continue with plenty of confidence after bagging a hat-trick on her World Cup debut.

Zaneratto and Debinha in particular were brilliant in creating the play,  but it was a fantastic all-round performance.

The only caveat is whether it was all down to Brazil, or if Panama were a bit overwhelmed on their World Cup debut.

90+4' Riley Tanner almost scores for Panama!

Some shoddy defending from Brazil in added time, Tanner pounces and fires a low shot, which Leticia stops at full stretch.

90+2' Nunes is fouled on the edge of the box

Free kick awarded to Brazil in the D. Does Marta have her eye on this. Looks like she's lining it up.

Remember she's attempting to score at her sixth World Cup.

Marta does take it and tries to finesse it in, but it's an easy save for the keeper.

9 minutes of added time

Panama didn't really want to see a number that high.

89' Another attempted bicycle kick from Brazil

The intensity has dropped off a little but there's still plenty of flair.

80' Gabi Nunes could have scored another worldie

She dances with the ball at her feet on the edge of the 6 yard box, instead of smashing it into the roof of the net, she attempts a pass to nobody. Unselfish to a fault.

Moments later she felt she had a penalty, as she was dragged down by a Panama defender, but the ref wasn't having it.

Brazil fans want to see Marta

Bernadette Clarke reports, despite having seen four goals from their side, Brazilian fans are not content yet. The "Marta, Marta, Marta" chant is going up.

And here she comes!

70' Ary Borges has a hat-trick! Another goal for Brazil

It's yet another goal coming from the left, with Geyse turning it onto her right foot and crossing it in for Borges to head home.

(Getty)

67' Kerolin flashes it wide!

Lovely play again from Brazil, the midfielder gets the ball to feet, cuts inside and out and fires a low shot just wide of the post.

64' Leticia comes out of her box to smother a chance!

Brazil almost caught out there! The keeper has to rush out to smother Riley Tanner who was bearing down on goal. She managed to do well not to handball it there.

Some pretty remarkable stats

(PressBox)

Triple change for Brazil

Including their two best players in this game, Zaneratto and Debinha. Basically, it's job done, time for some other players to try and impress the coach.

58' A shot on target from Panama

A slip up in defence sees Panama immediately transition to attack, Batista cuts in on her right foot and tries the shot, but it's fairly comfortably dealt with by the Brazlian keeper - her first real action of the night.

Bernadette Clarke: "A sigh of relief from Brazilian fans."

56' Adriana heads it wide

This time the attack comes from the right, the cross is a little high for Adriana and she can't steer it on target.

48' Oh my goodness what a goal from Brazil

(Getty)

That is liquid football.

If there's a better goal this tournament I will be suprised. The move started with Tamires on the left, it involved one-touch passes, two backheels and a cool finish from Zaneratto. What a joy to watch, joga bonito incarnate.

From Bernadette Clarke at Hindmarsh: "The largely Brazilian crowd is absolutely electric again. Marta is screaming from the sidelines!"

The second half is underway

HALF-TIME: Brazil 2 - 0 Panama

An astonishing display of attacking football from Brazil has given them a 2-0 lead at the break, with both goals from Borges.

The way they're playing, they will be looking to surpass Germany's 6-0 opening win.

They attacked down the right, they attacked down the left, they went straight through the middle, it was really something to watch. The ball movement was sublime.

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