Hayley Raso scored twice as Australia qualified for the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup with a crushing 4-0 victory over Canada, who were dumped out of the competition.
The joint hosts started quickly and opened the scoring early on through Raso and despite having Mary Fowler’s effort ruled out for offside, they doubled their lead before half-time with another Raso finish from inside the area.
In the second period, Australia jumped into a three-goal advantage through Fowler before Steph Catley’s penalty in stoppage time helped set up a last-16 clash with the runner-up of Group D – one of England, Denmark and China.
Australia opened the scoring in the ninth minute after Catley latched onto a ball down the wing and her low cross fell to Raso, who placed the ball into the back of the net. The goal was initially ruled out for offside but given after a VAR review to put the Matildas 1-0 up.
Raso proved to be a menace for the Canadian defence and she almost doubled their advantage three minutes later when she let fly inside the area but saw her goalbound effort saved by Kailen Sheridan.
Australia thought they doubled their advantage with 36 minutes on the clock after Fowler pounced in a goalmouth scramble but after another VAR review, the goal was ruled out after Ellie Carpenter was judged to be offside and interfering with play.
Five minutes later, the Aussies made sure they extended their lead after Kyra Cooney-Cross curled a corner on top of Sheridan and another spell of pinball led to the ball falling at the feet of Raso who smashed home her second of the night.
Australia flew into an unassailable three-goal lead just before the hour mark as Caitlin Foord made a well-timed run into the channel and put the ball on a plate for Fowler, who scuffed home via a post and was not to be denied this time.
Australia were close to a fourth after Fowler had the beating of three defenders but her left-footed strike from inside the box came back off the post.
The Australians put the gloss on the scoreline after a VAR review picked up Jessie Fleming’s foul on Katrina Gorry in the box. Catley stepped up and converted from 12 yards to give them their biggest ever World Cup win.
A goalless draw between the Republic of Ireland and Nigeria meant the latter progressed to the knockout stages as group runners-up while Canada failed to qualify in third.
