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Marta Sets Record With 17th World Cup Goal in Brazil Victory

Marta set a record for men and women with her 17th career World Cup goal in Brazil's 1-0 victory over Italy on Tuesday night at Valenciennes that advanced the Selecao to the knockout rounds for the sixth straight time.

The 33-year-old forward, playing in her fifth World Cup, scored on a penalty kick in the 74th minute at Stade du Hainaut, sending a line drive to the left of goalkeeper Laura Giuliani after Debinha was fouled by Elena Linari.

It was the second goal of the tournament for Marta, and both have been on penalty kicks. Her goal against Australia last Thursday tied the record set in the men's World Cup by Miroslav Klose, who scored 16 World Cup goals for Germany from 2002-14. The United States' Abby Wambach and Germany's Birgit Prinz are tied for second among women with 14 each.

Marta is the only player, male or female, to score in five World Cups.

Brazil had needed only a draw to advance.

Italy won Group C on goal difference over Australia and Brazil as all three nations finished with 2-1 records and six points. Le Azzurre will play a third-place team in the round of 16 on Tuesday.

Australia, which beat Jamaica 4-1 on Tuesday, meets Norway on Saturday. Brazil wound up third and will play Germany on Saturday or host France on Sunday.

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Recapping Monday: France completed World Cup group play with a 3-0 record for the first time by beating Nigeria 1-0 at Rennes. Wendie Renard converted a penalty kick in the 79th minute after missing her first attempt. Referee Melissa Borjas awarded the penalty kick when Viviane Asseyi was knocked over by Ngozi Ebere and the call was upheld in a video review. Eberle was given her second yellow card of the match for the foul, causing Nigeria to finish a player short. Renard's initial attempt was wide to the right of goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, but Borjas ordered the kick retaken because Nnadozie came off the line before the ball was kicked. Renard's second try went in to Nnadozie's right for her third goal of the tournament. France will play a third-place team on Sunday at Le Havre in the round of 16, and the winner will advance to a quarterfinal against the United States, Sweden or Spain. .... Germany won its group for the fifth consecutive time and avoided an immediate matchup with the United States by routing South Africa 4-0. Germany topped Group B with a 3-0 record and will play a third place team in its round of 16 match Saturday at Grenoble. South Africa was winless in group play and outscored 8-1. Two-time tournament champion Germany has not lost a match in group play since falling to Sweden in 1995. ... Spain and China played to a scoreless draw that advanced both squads to the round of 16. Spain finished second in Group B behind Germany. Spain advanced to the knockout stage for the first time and will face the winner of Group F on Monday at Reims — likely the United States if the Americans win or draw in its final group match against Sweden. China has advanced to the knockout stage at each of its seven World Cup appearances. It finished third in the group at 1-1-1. ... Norway knocked South Korea out of the tournament by scoring on two penalties in a 2-1 victory. South Korea went 3-0 in France with one goal while allowing eight. Norway advanced to the round of 16 as runners up in Group A.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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