Jamaica stuns in Group F to advance to the WWC Round of 16

The GIST: And just like that, only two WWC group stage games remain. Before we dive into what went down in this morning’s decisive Groups F and G battles, here’s a quick look at the squads who’ve booked their knockout tickets:

• No. 20 Switzerland and No. 12 Norway (Group A), No. 10 Australia and No. 40 Nigeria (Group B), No. 11 Japan and No. 6 Spain (Group C), No. 4 England and No. 13 Denmark (Group D), No. 9 Netherlands and No. 1 USWNT (Group E), No. 5 France and No. 43 Jamaica (Group F), and No. 3 Sweden and No. 54 South Africa (Group G).

Group F — The Reggae Girlz stun: Jamaica held it down on defense early this morning, drawing 0–0 with No. 8 Brazil to become the first-ever Caribbean country to advance to the WWC Round of 16. Simply incredible.

• Unfortunately, that marks the end of the WWC road for Brazilian icon Marta, who was playing in her sixth career World Cup. Legend is an understatement.

• At the same time, France finished atop the group after a 6–3 high-scoring affair over No. 57 Panama.

Group G — Sweden makes it look easy: Stoking the anxiety of Americans everywhere, the Blue and Yellow looked cool as a cucumber this morning, dismantling No. 28 Argentina in an easy 2–0 victory to win the group.

• South Africa will move through in Group G alongside the Swedes, after stunning No. 16 Italy 3–2 this morning (on the back’s of an Italy own goal) to rise from third place to runners-up and lock in their first-ever spot in the WWC knockouts.

Group H — It’s No. 25 Colombia’s to lose: Current group leader and tournament stunner Colombia is all but guaranteed to advance, so long as they don’t lose their final game to No. 72 Morocco (tomorrow at 6 a.m. ET) by more than four goals.

• Similarly, No. 2 Germany has a straightforward path to the Round of 16 — a victory over winless No. 17 South Korea (also tomorrow at 6 a.m. ET) sends them through. It’s all happening.