Brazil pips Denmark to reach quarters

Updated: September 20, 2007, 9:40 AM EST Comment

With star Marta pulling the strings, Brazil dominated Denmark but could not score until the first minute of injury time when substitute Pretinha raced onto a through ball and lifted it over the onrushing Danish goalkeeper Heidi Johansen.

Brazil could have scored more except for poor finishing and great goalkeeping by Johansen.

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The pro-Brazilian crowd at the Hangzhou Dragon Stadium oohed and awed each time Marta touched the ball, and she did not disappoint, launching passes around the field and dribbling past defenders.

Halfway through the first half, the FIFA player of the year powered by two defenders only to see her shot bounce off the post.

Marta's best chance came with 20 minutes left in the game when she exchanged passes with a teammate and cracked a low shot which a diving Johansen tipped around her post.

The win means Brazil finished top of Group D with nine points and will play Australia, the second-place finisher in Group C, in the quarterfinal on Sunday.

China, which finished with six points, will play Norway, the Group C winner, also on Sunday.

Denmark finished with three points and New Zealand with none.

The Danes also created several excellent chances. The first came 10 minutes into the game when Brazilian keeper robbed Maiken Pape by turning away a point-blank header.

Brazilian midfielder Maycon also headed a cornerkick off the line in the first half.

In the last minute just before Brazil scored, Denmark had a free kick in front of the goal but shot the ball into the wall.