The surprise defeat to Nigeria puts Australia in a difficult position. The co-hosts must beat Canada - theoretically the strongest team in the group - to qualify for the next round. Meanwhile, their opponents only need a draw to be sure of progressing.
Canada 0-4 Australia
In the match for a place in the round of 16, the 3-rank gap in the FIFA rankings between the two teams was erased. Australia (ranked 10th in the world ) showed greater determination. The co-host team started well and quickly took the lead after only 10 minutes of the match.
After Hayley Raso put the ball into the Canadian net, the assistant referee raised his flag for offside. However, FIFA technology proved otherwise. The referee reversed his decision and awarded the goal to Australia.
With an early goal, Australia was even more confident. Meanwhile, the Canadian players continued to show the same disappointing face as the first two matches. The reigning Olympic champions were at a disadvantage but they could not control the match. The Canadian women's team did not have a single shot on target in the first half.
The Australian women's team showed more determination and played better than Canada.
In contrast, the American team's defense played superficially and was full of loopholes. Less than a minute after escaping a goal thanks to VAR, Canada conceded another goal. Goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan missed the ball in a corner kick. Raso seized the opportunity to double the gap with an easy finish from close range.
Canada failed to improve their game in the second half. The third goal came to the world's seventh-ranked team in the 58th minute after an easy Australian attack. Caitlin Foord comfortably dribbled close to the goal and assisted Mary Fowler to score.
Canada's personnel and tactical adjustments did not make a significant difference. The defending Olympic champions' poor performance did not stop there. In stoppage time, Australia scored a fourth goal from a successful penalty kick by Steph Catley, sealing a 4-0 victory.
Australia qualified for the round of 16 as the top team in Group B. Nigeria finished second after drawing 0-0 with the Republic of Ireland.
Result: Canada 0-4 Australia
Score
Australia: Raso (10', 34'), Fowler (58'), Catley (90+4')
Canada vs Australia lineup
Canada: Kailen Sheridan (1-TM), Kadeisha Buchanan (3), Jayde Riviere (8), Ashley Lawrence (10), Vanessa Gilles (14), Quinn (5), Julia Grosso (7), Jessie Fleming (17), Jordyn Huitema (9), Christine Sinclair (12), Adriana Leon (19)
Australia: Mackenzie Arnold (18-TM), Steph Catley (7), Alanna Kennedy (14), Clare Hunt (15), Ellie Carpenter (21), Emily Van Egmond (10), Hayley Raso (16), Katria Gorry (19), Kyra Cooney-Cross (23), Caitlin Foord (9), Mary Fowler (11)
Han Phong
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