DEAUVILLE, France — Move over, Miroslav. It's Marta's record now.

The Brazilian scored her 17th career World Cup goal Tuesday night, passing Germany's Miroslav Klose for the record by any player, male or female. The goal, on a penalty kick in the 74th minute, gave Brazil a 1-0 victory over Italy in the Group C game in Valenciennes.

"I am very honored, happy to write the history in a sport that for some people is still seen as a men's sport," Marta, considered by many to be the best female player ever, said after the game.

"We are breaking records, showing how much women's football has been developing. It's a story not only for Marta, but also for all women out there."

A little bit of payback for Brazil, too.

Not only did Klose surpass another Brazilian, Ronaldo, when he scored his 16th goal, he did it in Germany's semifinal rout of the host country at the 2014 World Cup. Germany thrashed Brazil 7-1 in that game, with Klose's 23rd-minute goal one of five scored in the first half.

It was Brazil's worst-ever World Cup loss, and its first loss at home in 39 years.

"I'm delighted for her," Italy coach Milena Bertolini said. "She's emblematic of the women's game on a global basis. I think when a lot of people have watched Marta over the last few years they've really changed their mind with regards to whether women can indeed play football or not."

Despite Marta's dazzling skills, and now her scoring record, she has never won a major international title. Brazil lost to Germany in the title game of the 2007 World Cup, and was silver medalists — losing to the Americans — at both the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.

Brazil has qualified for the knockout rounds, but as the third-place team in Group C, it will face either host France or Germany.

"We can't choose it," Marta said. "We have cleared a goal of ours: qualifying. Now it's a matter to get ready and to try to go further."

And maybe add a few more goals to her record total.

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Nancy Armour on Twitter @nrarmour.