Brazil forward Marta hopes her record 17th goal in the World Cup finals can help continue to raise the profile of the women's game.
The 33-year-old Orlando Pride forward, playing in her sixth World Cup, scored a penalty with 15 minutes left as Italy were beaten 1-0, which secured Brazil's progress from Group C through to the knockout stage.
Marta's goal saw her past the mark of 16 set by Germany forward Miroslav Klose in the men's tournament and is hoping for some more headlines in France this summer.
"I am very honoured, happy to write the history in a sport that for some people is still seen as a men's sport. We are breaking records, showing how much women's football has been developing," she said.
"It's a story not only for Marta, but also for all women out there."
Marta continued: "Without question this is a big opportunity that we have here. We can use this platform to push for more support for equality, for women empowerment.
"This is not news, this is just business as usual, but yes we try to represent and show how much women can play any type of role.
"There are many other women playing different roles, let me make this clear, that it's not only in sport, this is a struggle for equality across the board."
A surprise 3-2 loss to Australia in their last match had left Brazil needing a positive result to make sure of progress to the knockout stage.
The Matildas' 4-1 win over Jamaica in Grenoble saw Brazil finish third in the table, as Italy - also with six points - topped the group on goal difference.
Brazil progress to the last 16 as one of the best third-placed sides, but now look set to face either France or Germany for a place in the quarter-finals.
Coach Vadao warned Brazil will be ready for the challenges ahead.
He said: "The difficulty we're going to face with any of these opponents, they will face that with us as well."
The Italians were aiming to record a third straight win having defeated Jamaica 5-0 in Reims, but coach Milena Bertolini was not too despondent.
"We dropped too deep and when you come up against top technical players, the likes that Brazil boast, ultimately they can come up with significant moments," she said at a press conference.
Sam Kerr scored four goals as Australia beat Jamaica to finish second in Group C and book their place in the last 16 of the Women's World Cup.
The 25-year-old Chicago Red Stars forward scored her second goal in three games when she broke the deadlock in the 11th minute before netting again before the break and again to seal her hat-trick in the 69th minute.
Kerr added her fourth in the 83rd minute as Australia headed for the knockout stages as she moved level with United States' Alex Morgan as the top-scorer at this World Cup with five goals.
Australia skipper Kerr saw Jamaica goalkeeper Nicole McClure off her line and looped in a header after an inch-perfect cross from the left with 11 minutes on the clock.
Kerr kept up her prolific form when she nodded in the second after a simple ball was sent in from the right in the 41st minute.
Jamaica pulled one back - their first-ever goal at a Women's World Cup - when half-time substitute Havana Solaun coolly rounded the goalkeeper to roll the ball into the corner four minutes into the second half.
Khadija Shaw went close for the Reggae Girlz in the 54th minute but her strike flew over the crossbar. Shaw went close again 10 minutes later, evading two challenges before drilling a long-range strike which again rose over the bar.
However, it was Australia who found the net again and Kerr who claimed her hat-trick in the 69th minute.
Kerr had a penalty shout turned down by VAR as the match entered its last 10 minutes but added her fourth in the 83rd minute when McClure panicked and kicked the air instead of the ball when attempting a clearance.
PA
