LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Australia thrashed Canada 4-0 to advance to the Women’s World Cup’s round of 16, knocking the Olympic winners out of the competition with Hayley Raso scoring twice in the first half, while Mary Fowler added a goal after the interval.
Raso scored with a low, right-footed goal in the ninth minute in front of an energizing Melbourne Rectangular Stadium crowd, and he added another goal in the 39th after a goalmouth scramble, while unused captain Sam Kerr celebrated from the sidelines.
Steph Catley converted a penalty in stoppage time as a relieved country celebrated the co-hosts’ victory.
Fowler secured the victory with a beautiful touch that pinged in off the right post in the 58th minute.
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For the first time since 2011, Canada exited at the group stage; regrettably, they could have advanced with just a draw.
The striker may take a week off from playing to recover her injured calf before Australia’s next match in the round of 16, which would likely be against Denmark. Kerr did not need to save Australia.
Nigeria advanced following a scoreless draw with Ireland, while Australia finished first in Group B with six points, one point ahead of them.
When coach Bev Priestman called for a slew of changes at halftime, the talismanic captain of Canada, Christine Sinclair, announced her disappointment at playing in her sixth and final World Cup.
Australia played bravely and were shortly rewarded when Catley’s cross found Raso in the box. With their tournament hanging in the balance following Nigeria’s 3-2 upset victory, Australia displayed great bravery.
For Australia’s first goal, she blasted a low shot inside the far post. A goal was scored despite an offside flag being raised, and the crowd erupted in jubilation when VAR confirmed it.
A few minutes later, they came close to making it 2-0, but goalie Kailen Sheridan made a great stop on Raso’s attempt.
In the 34th minute, the home crowd started cheering once again when Fowler rushed in to slam the ball in from close range after Raso provided the cross.
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There was a loud chorus of jeers as VAR again interfered, this time canceling the goal for offside.
After Sheridan failed to clear the ball from a set-piece five minutes later, Raso was celebrating her second goal.
Priestman made a substitution after the break, and Sophie Schmidt, who was replacing herself, smashed the crossbar in the 56th.
Few minutes later, an additional Australian attack resulted in Fowler putting in a cross from Caitlin Foord to further increase the lead.
Jessie Fleming’s collision with Katrina Gorry well inside the area resulted in a penalty kick that Catley scored to give the United States the victory. However, things got worse for Canada when Catley scored the game-winning goal.