France, Sweden, South Africa and Jamaica marched into the last 16 of the Women's World Cup on Wednesday. Brazil, on the other hand, suffered a shock group stage exit, the first time since the 1995 edition that they failed to make it to the knockout rounds.

Kadidiatou Diani hit a hat-trick as France finished top of Group F in a 6-3 thriller against Panama.

It was a polished recovery after Marta Cox's wonder strike on 67 seconds left the French reeling, swerving a freekick into the corner for Panama's first-ever World Cup goal.

She spun away in celebration and was mobbed by teammates as the tears flowed at a sold-out Sydney Football Stadium.

But the euphoria was short-lived as France ran riot, with Diani scoring twice, including one from a penalty. Maelle Lakrar and Lea Le Garrec added a goal apiece before half-time.

Paris Saint-Germain striker Diani got her third from the spot after the restart, but Panama refused to give up.

Yomira Pinzon added their second with a crisply-struck penalty, and Lineth Cedeno scored again in an exciting finale before Vicki Becho finished well to seal the game for France in injury time.

A much-changed Sweden side topped Group G with a perfect record after Rebecka Blomqvist's second-half header and substitute Elin Rubensson's 90th-minute penalty helped them beat Argentina 2-0 on Wednesday.

Blomqvist met Sofia Jakobsson's cross with a fantastic header in the 66th minute to put the third-ranked Swedes firmly on course to advance as Group G winners, with Rubensson sealing the win with a superbly taken spot kick.

Argentina, who lost midfielder Florencia Bonsegundo to injury minutes before the break, needed a victory to stand any chance of going through but never really troubled the Swedish defense and goalkeeper Jennifer Falk.

Argentina remained without a win in their four World Cup appearances and finished bottom of the group.

Sweden will next face the holders, the United States, in a blockbuster clash in Melbourne on Sunday, a rematch of the Olympic quarterfinals in 2021, when the Europeans won 3-0 en route to the final.

Thembi Kgatlana overcame personal tragedy and a brutal injury to deliver South Africa's first Women's World Cup win on Wednesday with a last-gasp 3-2 upset over Italy in Wellington.

Italy were on track to salvage a draw and a place in the last 16 when Arianna Caruso leveled in the 74th minute, but Kgatlana refused to quit, sending in the stoppage-time winner off a neat flick from Hildah Magaia.

"Over the last three weeks, I've lost three family members. I could have went home, but I chose to stay with my girls," Kgatlana said. "Because that's how much it means."

The Racing Louisville forward suffered a torn Achilles tendon in 2022, an injury that kept her sidelined for some 10 months and nearly cost her a trip to her second World Cup.

"I came back from a very, brutal injury to be here, to play for the country, to represent every single girl that wanted to be here, to make history with the girls for South Africa," she said.

They will face the Netherlands in the last 16 in Sydney on Sunday.

A courageous Jamaica held Brazil to a 0-0 draw on Wednesday to reach the knockout phase for the first time.

Brazil were knocked out after failing to score in a group match for the first time since 1991.

Needing a point to go through, the Jamaica women's national football team, nicknamed the "Reggae Girlz," barely threatened to score but were tight in defense, repelling wave after wave of Brazilian attacks in a frenetic atmosphere at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

(With input from agencies)