Matildas crush Olympic champions Canada to advance to FIFA Women's World Cup round of 16
The Matildas are through to the knockout stage of the FIFA Women's World Cup after a ruthless performance against Canada in Melbourne.
Australia came into the match under immense pressure, most likely needing a win over the reigning Olympic champions to advance, and passed the test with flying colours with a 4-0 victory.
Hayley Raso opened the scoring with a first-half double, before Mary Fowler scored a third to put the nail in Canada's coffin on her return from a concussion. Steph Catley scored a penalty in stoppage time to seal Australia's biggest ever Women's World Cup win.
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Raso described the win in front of a raucous crowd of 27,704 as "absolutely amazing".
Hayley Raso scored two first-half goals to send Australia on its way to the knockout stage of the World Cup Getty
"We knew we had to give it absolutely everything tonight and we left it all out there, and to get the goals just topped it all off for me," she told Optus Sport.
"I'm hugely proud. The girls put in a shift, everybody pulled for each other and you could see it out there.
"I can't really describe the crowd, they lifted us tonight. To score in front of my family and this amazing crowd is so, so special.
"We knew we had to win, our backs were against the wall, we showed that never say die attitude. Tonight was such a big game and I think we showed everybody what we can do."
All eyes leading into the contest were on the availability of star Matildas captain Sam Kerr. Australia's talisman started on the bench and sat out of the pre-match warm-up, sparking fears over just how healthy she actually is.
Sam Kerr was reduced to a spectator in the end as the Matildas eased past Canada FIFA via Getty Images
If there were any nerves surrounding the fixture, the Matildas did not show it, as Raso struck just nine minutes into the contest following a cross from stand-in skipper Catley.
The goal was initially disallowed due to an offside flag before VAR overturned the on-field call with replays showing Catley had timed her run to perfection.
That wasn't to be the final VAR intervention of the night, as the review system had the Australians ripping their hair out soon afterwards.
Fowler, returning to the side after missing the Nigeria clash due to a concussion, lashed the ball into the roof of the net after a goalmouth scramble to double Australia's lead.
However, referee Stephanie Frappart was called by the VAR to take a look at the goal and deemed that Ellie Carpenter had been in an offside position as Fowler took her shot.
Matildas skipper Steph Catley went straight towards the bench to celebrate after scoring her side's fourth goal from the penalty spot FIFA via Getty Images
Less than two minutes later, Australia had its two-goal lead after a brilliant corner kick from Kyra Cooney-Cross caused panic inside the box, with Raso tapping home the ball from close range.
Hoping to spark her side into action, Canada coach Bev Priestman made four changes at half-time, but they were to no avail as Fowler struck Australia's third in the 58th minute to put the result to bed following a winding run by Caitlin Foord.
Catley rubbed salt in the Canadian wounds in injury time, lashing home a penalty, sparking pandemonium inside a jam-packed AAMI Park.
The loss combined with Nigeria's draw against Ireland in Brisbane means Canada, the world No.7 and the gold medallists from Tokyo two years ago, are out of the tournament.
Australia will face the runner of Group D in the first match of the round of 16 which is currently Denmark. China is third and equal on points but require a win against England.
Matildas v Canada in pictures: Australian players overjoyed after pulling off great escape; Olympic champs left in tears after World Cup exit
