August 07, (THEWILL) – Australia’s female football team, the Matildas, progressed smoothly to the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals after a 2-0 victory against Denmark on Monday.
The co-hosts, who put on a steady performance in Sydney, showed why they have become one of the contenders for the title, leaving anyone who had not given them a chance to rethink. Denmark initiated the match with a strong start, with Pernille Harder’s two low shots being thwarted, but the tide turned unexpectedly when Caitlin Foord calmly converted a pass from Mary Fowler, granting Australia the lead after 29 minutes.
This unexpected turn seemed to deflate the Danish side, led by Lars Sondergaard, as they struggled to regain their earlier attacking momentum. The first half concluded without any substantial response from Denmark. The second half saw limited chances on both ends of the field, with Mackenzie Arnold stopping Harder’s low attempt once again. Despite Denmark’s efforts, their rhythm remained disrupted. The decisive moment came when Hayley Raso clinically struck the ball into the bottom corner, sealing the match with a second goal for Australia.
As the clock wound down after that 70th-minute goal, Tony Gustavsson made a strategic substitution, introducing Chelsea star, Sam Kerr, to the field for the first time since recovering from a calf injury in mid-July. Kerr’s presence bolstered Australia’s stability in the final minutes, ensuring a smooth closing to the game and securing a place in the quarter-finals.
The Matildas’ next challenge awaits against either France or Morocco, following their impressive victories against Canada and Denmark. With the unwavering support of their home crowd, Australia’s Matildas are on the cusp of achieving a historic breakthrough, eyeing their first-ever semi-final appearance in the World Cup.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
