Sam Kerr's return 'cream on the cake' as Matildas seal quarter-final berth
Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso's scintillating goals have shot the Matildas into the FIFA Women's World Cup quarter finals for the first time since 2015, with a dominant 2-0 victory over Denmark.
The Matildas' statement victory at Accor Stadium was topped off with the safe return of superstar captain Sam Kerr, who logged 15 minutes after being previously sidelined this tournament due to a calf injury.
A 75,784-strong crowd watched the Matildas in control for the entire match, with Mary Fowler and Katrina Gorry also playing key roles in the win.
READ MORE: Football great's final act slammed after US dumped from World Cup
READ MORE: 'A lot of firepower': Why Matildas can win it all
READ MORE: Aussies land on Finch's T20 captaincy successor
An emotional Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson spoke of his gratitude for the home crowd.
Sam Kerr's heroic return was the icing on the cake as the Matildas cruised into the quarter finals REUTERS
"I get emotional, I really do, the support we feel is ... wow. Thank you, thank you," Gustavsson said on Optus Sport post match.
The coach also commended Kerr's seamless return, but made it clear that the side does not rely on "the best forward in the world".
Nine
"Relief is not the right word, but I'm really happy," he said on Kerr.
"It's a team effort and a team tournament and it's the cream on the cake
"My sports science and sports medicine team ... they deserve all the credit."
It took no time for Australia to stamp their authority on Denmark, with a brilliant through ball from Fowler putting Foord in for the 29th-minute opener.
Caitlin Foord put the Matildas ahead in the 29th minute with a calm finish after Mary Fowler's through ball Edwina Pickles
A lethal Denmark turnover allowed the Matildas free-flowing game to take over, with Foord slotting the ball through the legs of the Danish keeper.
The Matildas took a 1-0 lead into half time, shrugging off intense Denmark pressure that highlighted the first half.
With two of Denmark's three goals of the tournament thus far coming beyond the 89th minute, there was still a lot left in the tank in the second half for the Danish.
Despite Denmark dominating ball usage early in the second half, scoring opportunities were hard to come by as the Matildas did not slow down.
The Matildas' defence was ruthless, and the nail in the Danish coffin came in the 69th minute as Raso calmly slotted home Australia's second goal of the night.
Australia fans react as they watch the Australia v Denmark match in Federation Square in Melbourne. REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
Fowler's neat pass to Emily van Egmond was brilliantly taken by the No.10, who calmly controlled the ball before laying it off to Raso.
Raso's goal came moments after Kerr was spotted warming up for the first time this tournament, sparking the crowd in attendance.
Kerr was poised to come on prior to Raso's goal, but didn't enter the pitch until the 79th minute mark, replacing van Egmond and Raso as Courtney Vine also entered play.
Kerr almost had her fairytale return with a run at goal, but it wasn't to be for the comeback star, who was just satisfied to make it through the match unscathed.
Australia's Hayley Raso celebrates scoring her first goal of the match with teammate Emily van Egmond. REUTERS/Carl Recine
"I mean, it was just a relief on a personal level," Kerr said of her return.
Australia's first goal scorer and star of the match, Foord, was quick to also praise her captain's return, despite her own heroics spurring on Matildas victory.
"I would've felt pretty worried if I saw Sam (Kerr) coming on the pitch," Foord said post match on Optus Sport.
Gustavsson lauded his team's ability to keep calm under Denmark's immense early pressure.
"The players managed once again to play the game in front of us," the Matildas coach said.
Sam Kerr waves to the Matildas fans in attendance after the 2-0 win over Denmark REUTERS
"We didn't get rattled, the team is very matured in playing tournament football and finding a way to win."
Foord was even more buoyant than her coach, assuring the Matildas can achieve anything when they're playing at their best.
"It was awesome," she said.
"If we play like that, I'm confident we can beat anyone"
The Matildas now face the winner of France and Morocco, with that victor to be decided on Tuesday night.
Their quarter-final has been locked in for Saturday August 12 in Brisbane.
Matildas v Denmark in pictures: Australia celebrates after Sam Kerr's return helps book quarter final spot
