Australia 2-0 Denmark
The Matildas advanced to the quarterfinals with an assured 2-0 win over Denmark. The clear woman of the match was Caitlin Foord who scored the opening goal after a dime of a pass from Mary Fowler and then was brilliant on both sides of the ball. Hayley Raso added a second half goal, again thanks to brilliant passing from Foord and Emily Van Egmond.
Denmark actually took the initiative from the opening kickoff, but were largely in effective when it came to shooting on goal–hardly troubling Mackenzie Arnold. Meanwhile, Sam Kerr saw her first action at this World Cup playing ten minutes as a substitute recovering from calf injury.
The crowd of 75,784 at Stadium Australia roared when she came on to the pitch. Though, the match appeared in hand thanks to Foord, Raso, et al.
“The one thing I think has happened with this team is they were very tight and together when this tournament started,” Australia coach Tony Gustavsson said. “But the tournament, the experience, the challenges and the adversity they have come through have made them even tighter.”
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England 0-0 Nigeria (England advance 4-2 on penalties)
England had to overcome Nigeria, a red card to Lauren James, and penalties to advance to the quarterfinals for the third straight World Cup. James was sent off in the 87th minute after stomping on Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie in frustration. From there, England had to hold off one of the surprises of the tournament as the Super Falcons sought to be the first African side to win a knockout stage match. Twice they would hit the woodwork, but could not find the goal.
It went to penalties and both teams missed their first spot kicks, but England would go on to make their next four while Nigeria would miss their final two.
Nigeria head coach Randy Waldrum said his team could be proud of what they accomplished.
“I’m so proud of them, to come in and play like we did tonight,” Waldrum said. “The players right now obviously are in tears. They believed we could win and they expected to continue playing on.
“We gave everything. I certainly hope that people back in Nigeria appreciate the job that they’ve done while they’re here and I would hope that they’re happy, not upset that we lost.”
The Round of 16 will conclude on Tuesday with Colombia against Jamaica in Melbourne (3am CT, FS1/NBC Universo) and France vs. Morocco in Adelaide (6am CT, FS1/Telemundo).
