TheCable

Ary Borges netted a hat-trick as Brazil’s female football team scored twice in each half to record a resounding 4-0 win over debutants Panama in their opening 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup clash at the Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide, on Monday.

Borges scored the first two goals in the first period before completing her hat-trick with the last goal of a game Brazil dominated from start to finish.

Borges’ hat-trick is the first of the tournament and keeps alive the Canarinhas’ record of winning their opening fixture of every Women’s World Cup they have participated.

Brazil lead Group F with three points ahead of France, one of the World Cup favourites, who were held to a goalless draw by Jamaica.

In other matches of the day, Germany walloped Morocco, one of Africa’s four representatives, 6-0 in their opening World Cup fixture, with the Europeans scoring four second-half goals in a match they totally dominated.

The result means no African nation won in their first matches in New Zealand, with only the Super Falcons of Nigeria earning a reputable draw against Canada.

Morocco’s loss is also the biggest of the tournament so far, eclipsing the 5-0 Zambia suffered at the hands of Japan on Saturday.

RESULTS

• Brazil 4-0 Panama
• Germany 6-0 Morocco
• Italy 1-0 Portugal