Australia destroy Canada to surge into World Cup last 16

Co-hosts Australia surged into the Women’s World Cup last 16 on Monday with Hayley Raso scoring twice in a 4-0 battering of Canada as Nigeria joined them in the knockout phase.

Olympic champions Canada were dumped out at the hands of a fired-up Australian team who knew they had to win in Melbourne to progress.

They did it in style, their big victory putting them through as Group B winners, meaning they will probably avoid European champions England in the next round.

That is likely to fall on Nigeria, who were held 0-0 by already-eliminated Ireland in Brisbane and finished second.

Tony Gustavsson’s Australian team came into the clash with Canada under huge pressure following a stunning 3-2 loss to Nigeria that left their tournament hopes on a knife-edge.

But rather than wilt, the Matildas thrived, to the delight of a raucous 27,706 fans who were kicking every ball.

Star striker Sam Kerr, who missed Australia’s first two games with a calf injury, declared herself fit but remained on the bench as her team-mates more than compensated for her absence.

Real Madrid’s Raso put them ahead in the ninth minute, then made it two half an hour later with a close-range tap-in.

A shellshocked Canada made four changes at half-time as coach Bev Priestman attempt to salvage their World Cup.

But the comeback never materialised and Mary Fowler bagged Australia’s third from a counter-attack before Steph Catley sealed victory with an injury-time penalty.

– Japan thrash Spain –

Earlier, Japan sent a World Cup warning with a clinical 4-0 thrashing of Spain.

The 2011 champions Japan were 3-0 up by half-time in Wellington as they romped to a victory that allowed them to finish top of Group C and set up a last-16 tie against Norway.

Hinata Miyazawa scored twice either side of a Riko Ueki goal, with Mina Tanaka wrapping up a stunning win late on.

Their first victory in five attempts over Spain was so comprehensive it suggests 11th-ranked Japan may be contenders to win the tournament.

They finish the group stage with 11 goals, more than any other team, while they are yet to concede.

Miyazawa, who was substituted at half-time, is also now the tournament’s leading scorer with four goals.

“I never imagined it. All of the goals are because of the other players giving me the right passes. So it’s everybody’s goal, not just me,” she said.

Spain, who like Japan had already qualified for the last 16 before this game, finish as runners-up in their group and now play Switzerland in Auckland on Saturday.

In the other Group C game, Zambia won a Women’s World Cup match for the first time with a 3-1 victory over Costa Rica as they ended their tournament on a high.

GBDESK//