Brazil leads way going into Women's World Cup group finales

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Sep 17, 2007

Brazil put in the most dominating performance of the Women's World Cup when it crushed host China, 4-0, Friday in Wuhan.

The reigning FIFA Player of the Year Marta scored two goals -- her third and fourth of the competition -- and set up teammate Cristiane for two more.

China has its chances in the first half, but Brazil put the game away with a Cristiane goal three minutes before the end of the first half and two Marta goals in the first three minutes of the second half.

Brazil leads Group D with six points after two games and needs to only tie Denmark Wednesday in Hangzhou to win the group.

No team clinched a berth in the final eight after two games. Only Argentina and Ghana have no chance going into their third game.

Here's how the groups stand:

Group A
1. Germany: 4 points, +11
2. Japan: 4 points, +1
3. England: 2 points, 0
4. Argentina: 0 points, -12
Schedule
Sept. 17
Germany-Japan
England-Argentina

Group B
1. North Korea: 4 points, +2
1. USA: 4 points, +2
3. Nigeria: 1 point, -2
3. Sweden: 1 point, -2
Schedule
Sept. 18
USA-Nigeria
North Korea-Sweden

Group C
1. Australia: 4 points, +3
2. Norway: 4 points, +1
3. Canada: 3 points, +3
4. Ghana: 0 points, -7
Schedule
Sept. 19
Norway-Ghana
Canada-Australia

Group D
1. Brazil: 6 points, +9
2. Denmark: 3 points, +1
3. China: 3 points, -3
4. New Zealand: 0 points, -7
Schedule
Sept. 19
Brazil-Denmark
China-New Zealand