Women’s World Cup: Shock exit for Canada as Australia progress

Olympic champions Canada have been knocked out of the Women’s World Cup after a heavy defeat to co-hosts Australia in their final group game.

Hayley Raso scored twice to give Australia a half-time lead before a Mary Fowler goal and a late Steph Catley penalty completed the scoring.

The result puts Australia through to the last 16 as Group B winners while Nigeria’s draw against Ireland edged them into the runners-up spot.

Canada’s failure to defeat 40th-ranked Nigeria in their opening game proved crucial as the Super Eagles edged out their more illustrious opponents by a single point.

Raso opened the scoring early on when she fired low across goal. The flag went up for an offside in the build-up but VAR showed that Catley had remained onside.

Fowler did put the ball in the back of the net from close range but VAR was called on again and Steph Carpenter was deemed to have been offside and interfering with play when the shot came in.

Australia continued to dominate though, and it was Raso who bundled in her second goal of the game after the Canada defence failed to deal with a corner.

It was three on the hour mark after some superb play down the left by Caitlin Foord. The Arsenal forward found Fowler in space to finish from close range.

Catley completed the scoring deep into stoppage time from the penalty spot after Jessie Fleming was fouled by Katrina Gorry.

Australia will play the Group D runners-up, with Nigeria meeting the winners. England could play either side, depending on their result against China on Tuesday.

Cover Photo: Flying the Flag by Mertie used under license by CC BY 2.0.