Marta sets World Cup goal  record in Brazil win

There hasn't been a Women's World Cup this century that Brazil legend Marta hasn't scored in. Marta's second-half penalty sent Brazil into the last 16 of the women's World Cup with a 1-0 win against Italy on Tuesday that ensured they finished as one of the best third-placed sides.

The Brazil fans commandeered a bar near the stadium this evening and decorated it with flags saluting their team's legends, including the tournament's all-time record scorer, Marta.

The atmosphere has been building really nicely for this one. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. The general chatter among the press ranks is that this could be one of the best matches of the group stage. Let's hope so!

Italy tops Group C due to goal difference, Australia goes through as the runner-up and then Brazil third, with all three teams finishing on six points.

Brazil clinches a 1-0 victory over Italy thanks to a Marta penalty midway through the second half. Brazil dominated much of the second half, with Zaneratto and Kathellen both going close before Marta finally managed to break the deadlock from the penalty spot after Debinha was barged to the ground by Linari. The Brazil skipper sent the keeper the wrong way to score her 17th World Cup goal

It was Marta's 17th World Cup goal, moving her ahead of Germany's Miroslav Klose to become the outright top scorer in both the men's and women's game. She is also the only player to score at five different World Cups.

Marta converted a spot kick in the 74th minute as Brazil finished third in Group C on six points, level with Italy, who top the group on goal difference.

"We were obviously targeting the first place in the group, but this is a World Cup after all. Now it doesn't matter who will cross our path. We can't choose it," said Marta. "We have cleared a goal of ours: qualifying. Now it's a matter to get ready and to try to go further."

Italy coach Milena Bertolini told a new conference: "It's hard to say it's a nice defeat, however we are pleased to come through as group winners. It was very much unexpected as our goal was to just make it past the group phase."