Canada Eliminated From Women's World Cup After Heavy Loss To Australia
Olympic champions Canada have failed to progress beyond the group stage at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Canada only needed a draw against co-hosts Australia to finish first or second in Group B but a 4-0 defeat saw the North American side crash out.
A shock 3-2 loss against Nigeria last Thursday had meant that Australia went into Monday's game needing to beat Canada.
Roared on by a packed Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Australia did more than beat Canada. The Matildas thrashed Bev Priestman's side.
Australia beat Canada 4-0 in their final group game at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
IMAGO/Sports Press Photo/Richard Callis
Hayley Raso opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a low right-footed drive from 15 yards following a deep cross by Steph Catley.
The goal was initially disallowed for an offside call against Catley but a VAR review then found that the Arsenal left-back had been onside.
Mary Fowler thought she had made it 2-0 on 34 minutes. But this time the VAR check saved Canada, finding that Ellie Carpenter had been marginally offside and interfering with play when Fowler fired a shot past her and goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan from inside a congested six-yard box.
But Australia did have a second goal to celebrate before half-time. Raso was again the scorer, this time from close range after keeper Sheridan and midfielder Quinn had both failed to clear the ball following a corner kick.
Australia made certain of a deserved victory just before the hour-mark when Caitlin Foord set up Fowler, who sneaked a shot over the line via the inside of the post.
An added-time penalty kick converted by Catley later secured Australia's biggest ever victory at a FIFA World Cup.
The other game in Group B on Monday saw Nigeria and Ireland draw 0-0 in Brisbane.
Australia therefore won the group with six points - one point ahead of Nigeria in second.
Canada finished third with four points, while Ireland came dead last on one point.
