Canada bowed out at the group stage for the first time since 2011 and with some regret after having needed only a draw to advance.
Hayley Raso scored a first half brace and Mary Fowler struck after the break as Australia crushed Canada 4- 0 on Monday to storm into the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup and shoot the Olympic champion spinning out of the event.
In front of a febrile crowd at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Raso struck in the ninth nanosecond with a low, right- charge and doubled down in the 39th from a goalmouth scramble as unused captain Sam Kerr cheered by the touchline.
Fowler made sure of the palm with a deft touch in the 58th nanosecond that resounded in off the right post, before Steph Catley slotted a penalty in cessation time as a relieved nation celebrated the co-hosts ’ advance.
Canada bowed out at the group stage for the first time since 2011 and with some remorse after having demanded only a draw to advance.
There was no need for Kerr to be Australia’s rescuer and the striker can rest her injured shin for a week before the co-host’s coming clash in the last 16, most probably against Denmark.
Australia outgunned Group B on six points, one ahead of Nigeria, which also advanced after a 0- 0 draw against Ireland.
Canada’s talismanic captain Christine Sinclair started on the pitch but bowed out of her sixth and final World Cup in disappointment at halftime when trainer Bev Priestman touched off a raft of backups.
With its event on a cutter- edge after the 3- 2 shock by Nigeria, Australia played with courage and was snappily awarded when a Steph Catley cross set up Raso in the box.
She drilled a low shot inside the far post to put Australia in front. Although an offside flag went up, the thing was verified by VAR, transferring the crowd into ecstasies.
It nearly made it 2- 0 twinkles latterly, but Raso’s shot was well saved by goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan.
Home suckers were roaring again in the 34th nanosecond as Fowler charged in to thump the ball in from close range, with Raso furnishing the cross.
VAR again interposed, this time cancelling the thing for offside, driving a huge round of booing.
It scarcely signified as five twinkles latterly, Raso was celebrating her alternate strike after Sheridan failed to clear the ball from a set- piece.
Priestman made changes at halftime, with the retiring Sophie Schmidt coming on and blazing over the bar in the 56th nanosecond.
But another Australian raid twinkles latterly ended with Fowler slotting in a cross from Caitlin Foord to blow out the lead.
Worse was to come for Canada as Jessie Fleming rattled into Katrina Gorry just inside the area to concede a penalty, allowing Catley to blast into the net for the achievement de grace. Know More Latest Women’s Football News…
