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Japan’s players celebrate at the end of the the Women’s World Cup Group C soccer match between Japan and Spain in Wellington, New Zealand, Monday, July 31, 2023. Japan beat Spain 4-0. (AP Photo/John Cowpland)
Australia 4, Canada 0
Women’s World Cup co-hosts Australia topped Group B with a 4-0 thrashing of Canada on Monday. In this must-win match for the Matildas, the home team found form even without their captain, Sam Kerr.
Aussie winger Hayley Raso opened up the scoring with two first-half goals. Mary Fowler and Steph Catley also added to the deficit, catapulting Australia into the Round of 16. Both teams were fighting for their survival in Melbourne with the Olympic Champions taking on a Kerr-less Australian side.
Spurred on by spirited home fans, Australia took the lead in the 8’. A cross from Catley found Hayley Raso who sent it soaring into the Canadian net, but Raso was called for off-side. Following a review, the goal was allowed by French referee Stéphanie Frappart. With a slim lead, Raso went goal-hunting again. This time tapping in a deflected corner kick from the glove of Canada’s Kailen Sheridan.
Holding just 38% possession didn’t stop Australia from producing the spoils in the second half. Once again, interim captain Catley was involved in the build-up. She sent a long ball towards Caitlin Ford who made a threatening run at the heart of the Canada defense and knocked it forward to Mary Fowler for the finish. Fowler, who had scored a disallowed goal before the interval, walked it into the net and celebrated.
Catley gave her home fans one more reason to cheer as she struck home a penalty in the 93’ as a deflated-looking Canada team was left asking what it could have done differently.
Australia’s Sam Kerr is expected to return from a calf injury for the Round of 16, she was made available for Monday’s Canada…
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