Womens 2007 World Cup; match 16

Group D, 15/9/07 in Wuhan.

Brazil v. China

Brazil: Andreia, Elaine, Aline, Tania, Renata Costa, Ester, Daniela (Rosana 79), Formiga (Simone 89), Maycon, Marta, Cristiane (Katia 85).

China: W.Han, Y.Liu (G.Zhou 57), K.Wang, J.Li, W.Pu, X.Song, C.Xie (S.Liu 67), Y.Bi, L.Pan (T.Zhang 52), D.Han, X.Ma.

Brazil took a little time warming to their task against the hosts but once they did so they went on to completely outplay China and sounded out a real warning to the rest of the challengers for this title.

China were inches from taking the lead when Song Xiaoli looped a volley over Andreia but the effort came back from the crossbar and Brazil snapped into action.

China held out until shortly before half time when Han Wenxia, who had earlier made a splendid flying save, rushed from her area to clear but found Marta there well before her and once the worlds' top player had skipped around the flying keeper it was a formality that the ball would end up in the net.

Conceding so close to half time was bad for the hosts but events straight after the restart were infinitely worse.

Within two minutes a clever pass from Marta had split the China defence wide open for Cristiane to stroke home the second and moments later Han Wenxia pressed the self destruct button by throwing the ball staight to the feet of Marta just outside the box.

Brazil's number ten allowed Cristiane to move into position before providing her with an open goal for Brazil's third goal.

China survived a remarkable incident when Daniela picked out Marta whose clipped volley came back off the inside of the post, hit the sprawling Han Wenxia in the face and rebounded back against the post before being finally gathered by the keeper.

China tried to respond but came no closer than a Han Duan shot that was not far wide but it was Brazil who wrapped up the scoring when Marta drove into the box before cutting back onto her favoured left foot for a shot that deflected in off a Chinese defender.

As Brazil continued to push forward the Chinese ended the game grateful that they had only conceded four while Brazil can surely look forward to the quarter finals and possibly beyond.

Full Time: Brazil 4 China 0