Hayley Raso scored twice for Australia in a crucial 4-0 win over Canada as the fired-up co-hosts booked their place in the last 16 of the Women`s World Cup on Monday, while it was the end of the road for the Olympic Champions.
Tony Gustavsson`s team came into the clash with their backs to the wall, needing victory to ensure they made the knockout round after a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Nigeria left them on a knife-edge.
Real Madrid`s Raso put them ahead in the ninth minute, firing low into the corner after captain Steph Catley fed a teasing low cross. They had a goal controversially disallowed 10 minutes before the break, but the rampaging Matildas put it behind them and Raso made sure on their very next attack with a close-range tap-in.
A shellshocked Canada made four changes at half-time, but the comeback never materialised and Mary Fowler bagged Australia`s third from a counter-attack before Catley sealed victory with an injury-time penalty.
The win left them top of Group B ahead of Nigeria, who drew 0-0 with Ireland in Brisbane, and set them up for a clash against the second-placed team in Group D — likely Denmark or China — in the next round.
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Kerr not risked
A major talking point ahead of this crucial match was whether Australia`s Sam Kerr would play after missing their opening two games with a calf injury.
The co-hosts suffered a huge setback skipper Kerr, the country`s all-time leading scorer and the face of the tournament, had to sit out the Matildas` opening match against Ireland and the clash with Nigeria.
In the match against Canada, the Chelsea star was on the bench, but wasn`t risked with her team in complete charge.
They home side was boosted by the return of Manchester City`s Fowler — who replaced Kerr in their 1-0 win against Ireland but missed the Nigeria game with concussion — but it was livewire Raso who gave them a dream start.
(With AFP inputs)
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