Brazil got off to a sensational start at the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand on Monday. Panama proved no match for the Female Canaries in their first group match, where World Cup debutant Ary Borges shone with a hat-trick and an assist.
Borges briefly stepped out of the shadow of the Brazilian icon Marta. The 37-year-old star made her appearance as a substitute against Panama, becoming the third player to take part in six World Cups (2003-present).
In 2007, Marta was already part of the Brazilian team when they lost to Germany in the final. Since then, her country has not been able to reach such heights in a World Cup again. Her ultimate dream is to finally become a world champion this summer.
In their pursuit of the first world title, Brazil got off to a flying start. The spotlight was on Ary Borges. In her first World Cup match, she opened the scoring with a header after nineteen minutes and found the net again just before halftime after a second attempt.
Panama was fortunate that the score remained at 2-0, as they couldn't contain Borges even after the break. First, she set up Bia Zaneretto's 3-0 goal with a splendid backheel, and then she completed the scoring herself.
Borges, who plays for the American club Racing Louisville, became the fourth Brazilian to score a hat-trick at the World Cup. Fifteen minutes before the end of the match, Marta also made World Cup history by replacing the standout player.
