Brazil clinches berth in Women’s World Cup quarterfinals

Marta, voted the world’s top female soccer player for the last five years in a row, scored her first two goals of the 2011 Women’s World Cup in Germany on Sunday to help Brazil overpower Norway, 3-0, and clinch a place in the quarterfinals.

Earlier, Australia survived a blatant refereeing error and edged Equatorial Guinea, 3-2, to stay in the hunt for a place in the tournament’s last eight.

First, the Brazilians.

Playing in front of a crowd of 26,067 in Wolfsburg, Brazil took the lead midway through the first half when Marta danced through a slow and lumbering Norwegian defense to slot the ball home. American referee Kari Seitz ignored what appeared to be a shove by Marta on defender Nora Holstad Berge in the buildup to the goal.

Brazil then scored twice in the first four minutes of the second half as first Rosana and then Marta found ways to beat Norway goalkeeper Ingrid Hjelmseth.

“We simply didn’t have the speed that is required,” said Norway Coach Eli Landsem, adding that it was “impossible” to contain Marta.

The Norwegians can still reach the quarterfinals by beating Australia on Wednesday, but a tie would send the Australians through on better goal difference.

That game matters to American fans because if the U.S. ties or defeats Sweden, also on Wednesday, it would play either Australia or Norway in the quarterfinals.

“Our aim is to get to the final and be crowned champions,” Marta said.

Australia’s victory over Equatorial Guinea in front of 15,640 in Bochum was in doubt until the final whistle.

The Matildas got off to a quick start when Leena Khamis put them ahead after only eight minutes. Then came the refereeing blunder.

A shot by Khamis hit a post and rebounded back into play. The ball was caught with both hands by Equatorial Guinea defender Bruna, who held it and then dropped it.

To the Australians’ bewilderment, referee Gyoengyi Gaal of Hungary did not spot the blatant hand ball and play continued.

After the final whistle, Karen Espelund, the match commissioner, said Gaal had apologized.

“The referee told me after the game that she was sorry that she missed that incident,” Espelund said. “She expressed her deep sorrow.”

Instead of leading, 2-0, Australia soon found itself level after Genoveva Anonman, the African team’s captain, took advantage of some sloppy play by Australian defender Servet Unzular, stole the ball and scored the first of her two goals.

It was still 1-1 when halftime arrived, but whatever Australia Coach Tom Sermanni said during the break worked wonders because the Matildas came out fired up for the second 45 minutes and scored twice within the first six minutes of the half.

The first goal was by Emily Van Egmond, the second by Lisa De Vanna.

Seven minutes from the end, Anonman again robbed Unzular of the ball and scored to set up a tight finish, but the Australians survived.

“There were some very, very poor passages of play that we need to tighten up on if we want to go further in this tournament,” Sermanni told Australian broadcaster SBS.

grahame.jones@latimes.com

Jones reported from Ross on Wye, England.