Goals: Borges 19', 39' & 70', Beatriz Joao 48'

While Panama are making their debut, Brazil are a World Cup powerhouse. They have appeared in all nine editions, including this year's. Of the teams that have played in three or more editions, they are the only team to have won all eight of their opening matches, with a goal differential of 23-1. Brazil have lost just once in 18 group stage matches, with 12 wins and five draws.

In the past, they have met teams from the CONCACAF region four times, and are unbeaten, with three wins and one draw.

The difference in class was evident at Hindmarsh Stadium. Brazil had 74% possession and 30 shots - six times more than Panama. The suffocating pressure they created was evidenced by the opening goal in the 19th minute. From Debinha's left-wing cross, Borges headed the ball into the near corner. Twenty minutes later, Borges scored again, doubling Brazil's lead. The striker wearing the number 17 shirt fired a close-range shot past goalkeeper Bailey, after his header was blocked.

Having to play in a 5-4-1 formation, Panama still could not contain Brazil's strikers. Three minutes after the break, the 52nd ranked team in the world conceded a third goal. This time, Borges assisted Bia Zaneratto to shoot with his left foot from the middle of the penalty area into the top corner.

Despite the substitution of Debora, Antonia and Bia Zaneratto, the 2007 World Cup runners-up kept the pressure on goalkeeper Bailey. In the 70th minute, Borges sealed a 4-0 victory. The striker from Racing Louisville (USA) headed into the middle of the goal, after a cross from Geyse.

Borges is the fifth player to score a hat-trick in his World Cup debut. It is also the first hat-trick at the 2023 World Cup. The tournament has had three players score two goals in the first round: Alexandra Popp (Germany), Hinata Miyazawa (Japan) and Sophia Smith (USA).

In the 75th minute, Borges left the field to make way for the legendary Marta. The 37-year-old striker played energetically, but was unlucky to add to Brazil's tally. Marta's best chance was a long-range shot in the 90+3 minute that went straight at the goalkeeper. Two minutes later, she set up Duda Sampaio, but her teammate failed to finish.

The win puts Brazil at the top of Group F with three points and a goal difference of +4. Earlier, the other two opponents in the same group, France and Jamaica, drew 0-0. Brazil will play France in the next round, while Jamaica will play Panama. France is ranked fifth in the FIFA rankings.

Thanh Quy