Hayley Raso scored a brace and Mary Fowler struck after the break as Australia crushed Canada 4-0 on Monday to storm into the round of 16 of the Women’s World Cup and send the Olympic champions spinning out of the tournament.
In front of a febrile crowd at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Raso struck in the ninth minute with a low, right-boot and doubled down in the 39th from a goalmouth scramble as unused captain Sam Kerr cheered by the touchline.
– Women’s World Cup bracket and fixtures schedule
– How team’s can qualify from each World Cup group
Fowler made sure of the win with a deft touch in the 58th minute that pinged in off the right post, before Steph Catley slotted a penalty in stoppage 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 regret after having needed only a draw to advance.