With an average age of 26 years and six months across the board, this is the oldest makeup of players in the history of the Women’s World Cup. Brazil is a key contributor to that stat with the second-oldest squad in France, and the veterans include Mônica (32), Marta (33), Cristiane (34) and Formiga (41).
The Seleção kicked off its campaign today against Jamaica in Grenoble, and although Marta missed out due to a thigh injury, Brazil still triumphed 3-0 thanks to huge performances from Formiga and Cristiane.
Formiga, making her seventh World Cup finals appearance, made history when starting the match. She’s now the oldest player in the competition's history at the age of 41.
formiga is 41 tackling folks like a young hungry midfielder trying to break into the team, you love to see it
— A West (@ayyy_west) June 9, 2019
But it was the 34-year-old Cristiane who proved the difference today. She entered the match with seven World Cup goals to her name; she left with 10.
Cristiane Hat Trick vs. Jamaica
Cristiane gives Brazil the lead with her 90th international goal and 8th at a #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/DsLxVIfR88
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 9, 2019
CRISTIANE AGAIN!
She scores her 2nd goal of the game and 9th of her #FIFAWWC career as Konya Plummer's attempt to clear off the line is just a tad too late. pic.twitter.com/rzeH3vS7Nf— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 9, 2019
THERE'S THE HAT TRICK!
Cristiane adds to Brazil's lead and becomes the 9th player in #FIFAWWC history to score 10 goals. pic.twitter.com/4qESJWtFlP— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 9, 2019
The 3-0 victory puts Brazil at the top of Group C on goal difference. Italy sits second after upsetting Australia earlier in the day. The match between Australia and Brazil on Thursday, June 13 is now can’t-miss.