Samba Girls full of confidence

Superstar Marta fired Brazil into the knockout round with a double and set Rosana up for the third as it demolished former winner Norway 3-0 in Wolfsburg.

For veteran Formiga, playing her fifth World Cup, it is finally time for the South Americans to lift the title.

The 33-year-old was on the team that finished runner-up to Germany four years ago and lost the past two Olympic titles to the United States.

"It's been a long road, we can't rest and can't let up, we have to continue working hard, like we came here to do, and trusting that we can continue eliminating our rivals," said Formiga.

"We're a close team, we have spent a long time working hard and our objective is to be world champions for the first time."

But despite having one group game left against Equatorial Guinea the Samba Girls' eyes are already on the final eight where they will face either the United States, the world's top team, or fifth-ranked Sweden.

Captain Aline, 29, said: "The United States are very strong and physically very good. Sweden are also very strong, they have extraordinary technical qualities and very fast players.

"But we're a team who are very strong, disciplined, focused and who worked well marking (Sunday). It's all the fruit of hard work paying off," she added.

The heartbreak of four years, notably a painful 2-0 final defeat to Germany, remains raw.

"We often talk about going so close four years ago," said midfielder Maurine, who plays with Marta at Western New York Flash.

"Now we are looking for this to be our time and are working hard towards our goal."

Marta said: "Our quarter-final rivals, Sweden or the United States, will have a lot of problems even if they're strong teams because we're ready and we've come here to be world champions."

Despite praising Marta's 'genius' Brazil coach Kleiton Lima said that only a team effort would suffice.

"Brazil play with eleven, all the players strive. She (Marta) plays in the final line of attack and for that reason she is the one in charge to finishing off, but the momentum comes from elsewhere."

Lima added it was hoping to deliver a footballing double whammy for Brazil this month - the Women's World Cup and the Copa America.

"It would be great to have a double of the women's World Cup and the Copa America. We're going to try our best."