Brilliant Brazil face France in World Cup blockbuster

Brazil's Ary Borges enjoyed a World Cup debut for the ages with a hat-trick against Panama. (Matt Turner/AAP PHOTOS)

Brilliant Brazil will hope to pounce on a France defence potentially missing skipper Wendie Renard and dance into the Women's World Cup knockout stage.

The Brazilians, ranked No.8 in the world, dazzled in their opening match against Panama, winning 4-0 courtesy of one of the great tournament debuts from forward Ary Borges.

The 23-year-old scored a hat-trick and pulled off an audacious backheel assist for teammate Beatriz Zaneratto to score her side's other goal.

She and her plethora of talented teammates, including star striker Debinha, will be licking their lips if Renard is unavailable.

The 33-year-old finished the game despite straining her calf in France’s 0-0 draw with Jamaica in Sydney on Sunday.

But officials have indicated the outstanding central defender may not be able to back up in time to face Brazil.

World No.5 France's campaign is delicately placed after they were well held by the Reggae Girlz in their opener.

Les Bleues will hope to kickstart their World Cup in earnest in Saturday's clash at Suncorp Stadium.

The Jamaicans will take on Panama in Group F's other match without star striker Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw, who is suspended after being sent-off against France.

Panama and Jamaica face off in Saturday's late game in Perth.

In Wellington, Sweden take on Italy in what is likely to be the defining match of Group G, after Argentina and South Africa's dramatic 2-2 draw on Friday.

The Swedes and the Italians are each on three points, and a win for either team would ensure a spot in the knockouts.

Colombia have played down concerns over teen sensation Linda Caicedo ahead of Sunday's clash with Germany.

The 18-year-old ovarian-cancer survivor sent fear through her squad when she put her hand to her chest and dropped to the ground during a training session on Thursday.

"Linda is very tired," a Colombian FA medical staff member told reporters, according to Reuters.

"What happened was just a symptom of all the stress and physical demands. She is well and all is back to normal."

It is unclear if Caicedo, who scored in Colombia's opening 2-0 win over South Korea, will play on Sunday.

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