Brazil star Marta claimed a record 15th Women’s World Cup goal on Tuesday in a 2-0 win over South Korea, as France beat old rivals England 1-0 in their opener.
Marta’s second-half penalty in the Group E clash in Montreal saw the 29-year-old overtake Germany’s Birgit Prinz as the top goal-scorer in the history of the tournament.
Veteran teammate Formiga, 37, had grabbed Brazil’s first-half opener to become the oldest ever Women’s World Cup goal-scorer.
Photo: AFP
Brazil now lead Group E after rivals Spain and Costa Rica played out a 1-1 draw in Montreal.
Earlier in Moncton, New Brunswick, Eugenie Le Sommer’s spectacular first-half goal got France off to a winning start over England in Group F.
France, among the favorites, dominated in rain and windy conditions in New Brunswick, condemning England to remain winless against their old rivals since 1974.
“We’re relieved,” France’s Laure Boulleau said. “It was an extremely important match to get into the competition. England were supposed to be more dangerous.”
Sixth-ranked England, looking to push beyond the quarter-finals for the first time, chase their first points against Mexico on Saturday when France are to play Colombia.
France are top of Group F ahead of Colombia and Mexico, who drew 1-1 in a game where goal-line technology was used for the first time at the women’s tournament.
For Brazil, it was a convincing win by the 2007 runners-up against a side who had few real scoring opportunities.
However, the sea of yellow and green Brazilian fans had to wait until the second half to witness the goal they had all come to see.
Formiga was the instigator, rushing into the South Korea penalty area before being cut down by Cho Soh-yun.
Marta coolly scored almost 12 years after her first goal, also from the penalty spot against South Korea.
It was a 92nd goal in 93 internationals spanning 13 years for the Sweden-based player.
Spain were held 1-1 by fellow newcomers Costa Rica. Vicky Losada’s first-ever World Cup goal for Spain on 13 minutes was canceled out by Costa Rica’s Raquel Rodriguez Cedeno a minute later.
Daniela Montoya’s late equalizer for Colombia denied Mexico a first World Cup win with a 1-1 draw on Tuesday, which saw goal-line technology used to decide Veronica Perez’s 36th-minute goal.
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