Marta scored two second half goals to lead Brazil to a 4-0 win over Jamaica in the first match of their two-game friendly series at Arena Pernambuco in Recife on Saturday.

The home team, which is preparing for the Paris Olympic Games, got a measure of revenge after they were knocked out of last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in the first round after being held 0-0 by the Reggae Girlz in Australia.

Jamaica, who were without stand-in captain Allyson Swaby, who was ruled out of the game, trailed 0-2 at half time with goals from Adriana in the 26th minute and an own goal from Chantelle Swaby in the 38th minute.

Both teams had a goal ruled out in the first half.

Marta took over in the second half and beat goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer at her near right post in the 64th minute and then added a second in the 90th after a spectacular solo effort, dancing past two defenders going to her left before unleashing a rocket into the far top corner of the Jamaican goal.

The teams will meet again on Tuesday in Salvador.
-Paul A Reid