"We've been underestimated," said goalie Rebecca Spencer. Not anymore: Jamaica is unbeaten after holding Brazil to a goalless draw.

They sent the Selecao¹ home early to become the first-ever Caribbean team in the last 16. Tomorrow the Reggae Girlz face Colombia.

It's an extraordinary story. In 2008, the Jamaican Football Federation disbanded the women's team. Singer Cedella Marley stepped in to fund their 2019 World Cup campaign.²

Four years later, they are struggling again. But thanks to a GoFundMe set up by midfielder Havana Solaun's mum, they raised over $50,000 (£39,000).

It's a "Cinderella story," writes "proud Jamaican" and "even prouder mother" Sandra Phillips-Brower. Her daughter is four games away from raising the trophy.

"History is written by the victors." It's a saying falsely attributed to Winston ChurchillThe British prime minister during World War Two, and later from 1951 to 1955. , but repeated in different forms since the Ancient Greeks.³ Most underdogs do not win and the stronger opponent usually records what happens.

For example: Christopher Columbus. In 1504, the explorer used his astronomical charts to predict a lunar eclipse. According to Columbus, his prediction convinced the indigenousEthnic groups who are the original or earliest-known inhabitants of an area or country: for example, Native Americans in the USA. Arawak chiefs he was a god. They helped the shipwrecked sailors until they were rescued.

We will never know what the Arawaks really thought. The indigenous population was almost entirely wiped out during European colonisation.

But sometimes, the underdog wins. In 1415, the outnumbered English army defeated the French at the Battle of Agincourt. In English football, the greatest upset in history saw Leicester City defy 5,000-1 odds to win the Premier LeagueEngland's highest level of men's football. in 2016.

Leicester City's emblem is the fox. "The ultimate hero," writes fairy tale expert Victoria Anderson. "The little guy who outsmarts the giants on horseback." We love to cheer on the underdog.

Or most of us do. In one study, 88.1% rooted for the weaker of two basketball teams.⁴ There are many theories why. It could be schadenfreudeLiterally means "harm-joy". Schadenfreude is a German word that describes someone deriving pleasure from another's misfortune.. It might be a belief in a fairer world.⁵

From Jack and the Beanstalk to Alladin, the underdog is one of our favourite stories. And tomorrow Jamaica writes the next chapter of a legend in the making.

Yes: History is about change. And these usually begin when the powerful are surprised by revolts, rebellions and revolutions from below. So without underdogs doing the unexpected, there would be no history.

No: This is the difference between fantasy and reality, a good story and actual history. We love hearing of underdogs winning because, most of the time, they don't. And history is written by the victors.

Or... If Jamaica goes on to win the World Cup and win again in four years, will they still be underdogs? The interesting thing about both sport and history is that no one remains a top dog forever.

Winston Churchill - The British prime minister during World War Two, and later from 1951 to 1955.

Indigenous - Ethnic groups who are the original or earliest-known inhabitants of an area or country: for example, Native Americans in the USA.

Premier league - England's highest level of men's football.

Schadenfreude - Literally means "harm-joy". Schadenfreude is a German word that describes someone deriving pleasure from another's misfortune.