Brazil’s Marta is poised to make history in her sixth World Cup
(CNN) — As the Women’s World Cup heads into its fifth day, fans will finally get a chance to see Marta’s strong performance in her sixth World Cup for Brazil.
Brazil take on Panama in Group F, Italy take on Argentina and Germany take on newcomers Morocco.
How to watch matches?
In the United States, the games will be broadcast on Fox Sports, while Telemundo provides coverage in Spanish. In Latin America, matches can be found through the DGO site.
The Seven Network and Optus Sport are broadcasting the matches in Australia, while the BBC and ITV have the rights in the UK.
Full details of media rights holders in each country are available on the FIFA website.
Brazil takes on Panama at 7 a.m. ET.
Brazil vs. Panama
The production of this game revolves around the magical Marta.
Only former Brazil legend Formica, who played in seven FIFA World Cups, has featured in more Women’s World Cups than Brazil’s talismanic number 10.
Marta is also looking to become the first player to score in six different World Cups. Along with Marta, Cristiano Ronaldo and Christine Sinclair have scored in five World Cups. Sinclair missed a chance to score the sixth goal of Canada’s opening game.
If Marta adds to her World Cup goals record, she will also become the oldest player to score in the tournament.
“We want to win this trophy, especially for Marta,” Brazil’s Caroline told reporters. “He deserves everything he’s done in the game. It’s hard to put into words what he’s like.”
Panama have won just one of their last 5 games before the World Cup. In a group featuring France, Brazil and Jamaica, newcomers Panama will have their work cut out for them to record their first World Cup victory.
Germany vs. Morocco
Alexandra Popp scored twice as Germany beat Morocco 6-0 at the Women’s World Cup on Monday.
Pop, 32, scored twice in the first half to lead his country to three crucial points in Group H ahead of Colombia and South Korea on Tuesday.
Seconds after the restart after half-time, Clara Bull scored Germany’s third goal as the European side pounced on some mistakes by the African World Cup debutant.
Another own goal, this time in the 79th minute by Yasmin Mrabed, made it 5-0, and Leah Schuller’s late goal capped a successful night for Germany.
Despite the result, it was an important day for Morocco, who made history by becoming the first Arab team to participate in the tournament. Although she didn’t come off the bench, Atlas Lions defender Nouhaila Benzina became the first player to wear a hijab at the tournament.
Italy vs. Argentina
Italy defeated Argentina by 1 goal in the first match of the 2023 World Cup.
The Italians, who reached the quarter-finals of the 2019 World Cup, were the stronger side during the opening match for both teams at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, with a late brace from Christiana Grelli giving Italy a 1-0 win.
The first half was even as both Ariana Caruso and Valentina Giacindi had goals disallowed for offside.
After the break, with both teams unwilling to lose their first match, scoring chances were few and far between, and teams prioritized avoiding mistakes over attacking recklessness.
Vanina Correa was called into action to make some routine saves in goal for Argentina, but the midfield draw was key, with the two sides largely canceling each other out.
Both managers tried to change the flow of the game by introducing push off the bench and it was the Italian substitute who made the difference.
Azzurre veteran Girelli, who replaced 16-year-old Giulia Dragoni on 83 minutes late in the game, showed why he has become a legend for the nation moments later as his looping header gave Italy a late lead.
It was a quality moment for Grelli, scoring his 54th international goal in his 104th appearance and, crucially, giving Italy three vital points to kick-start their World Cup campaign.