Canada vs Australia final score, result & highlights as Matildas romp to top of Group B and Round of 16

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Women's World Cup 2023 co-hosts Australia qualified for the Round of 16 in style after demolishing Canada 4-0 in front of 27,000 fans in Melbourne.

Coming into the match off the back of a poor defeat against Nigeria, Australia knew they needed to win to have a realistic chance of avoiding group stage elimination in their own tournament.

Any concerns were quickly washed away though, with two Hayley Raso goals putting the Matildas up 2-0 at half time, with Mary Fowler and Steph Catley scoring in the second stanza to put the finishing touches on a brilliant performance.

The hosts knew they needed to start strong given their recent attacking woes, and they did just that after eight minutes. Catley and Caitlin Foord combined to give Raso a chance, which she dispatched brilliantly into the bottom corner, with the goal awarded after a VAR review for a potential offside.

They thought they had a second when Fowler smashed home from close range after a flurry of tackles and clearances in the box, but a lengthy VAR review eventually found Ellie Carpenter to be offside in the buildup.

Canada's reprieve was short-lived, with Australia scoring from a corner just moments later. The visitors failed to deal with a corner, and Raso tapped home from very close range to deservedly double the Matildas' lead.

Canada coach Bev Priestman made four changes at half time to try and turn the tide, but they never got going, becoming the first reigning Olympic champions to be eliminated in the group stage.

Australia continued their domination in the second half, as Foord got around Vanessa Gilles and rolled the ball across to Fowler, whose scuffed shot went off the post and rolled off the line in the 58th minute.

The rout was complete in added time when stand-in captain Jessie Fleming fouled Katrina Gorry in the box. After a VAR review and awarding of a penalty, Steph Catley stepped up and scored her second spot-kick of the tournament to cap off a magical night in Melbourne.

MORE: World Cup schedule, results, fixtures

Canada vs Australia score

	Score	Goalscorers
Canada	0
Australia	4	Raso 9', Raso 39', Fowler 58', Catley 90+4'

Starting lineups:

Canada starting lineup (4-3-3): 1-Sheridan (GK) — 8-Riviere (Chapman 46'), 3-Buchanan, 14-Gilles, 10-Lawrence — 5-Quinn, 17-Fleming, 7-Grosso (Schmidt 46')— 19-Leon, 12-Sinclair (Lacasse 46'), 9-Huitema (Rose 46').

Australia starting lineup (4-4-1-1): 18-Arnold (GK) — 21-Carpenter, 15-Hunt, 14-Kennedy, 7-Catley — 16-Raso (Vine 75'), 19-Gorry (Grant 90+6'), 23-Cooney-Cross, 11-Fowler — 10-van Egmond (Polkinghorne 84')— 9-Foord.

MORE: Teams eliminated from Women's World Cup

No Kerr, no problem for Australia

Much of the talk pre-match centred around whether Sam Kerr would get any game time in this must-win match for Australia, with coach Tony Gustavsson being highly evasive pre-match when asked about the issue by journalists.

In the end, it was a moot point as the 11 players on the pitch did the job and Kerr got the night off; Caitlin Foord was brilliant combining with Steph Catley down the left wing, Mary Fowler was dynamic and everywhere up front, and Hayley Raso was simply unstoppable with two goals.

There has been pressure on both the Matildas attackers and Gustavsson to find a way to score and play freely without superstar Kerr, but they went some way to silencing the critics tonight and proved they are a match for anyone at the tournament even without Kerr.

Their star striker will also get six days off as she attempts to recover from a calf injury sustained just before the tournament.

Canada wilt under pressure

Whilst Australia were seen as the team under pressure going into the match, Canada were also under scrutiny after mediocre performances in their first two matches, and in the cauldron that was the tight and intimidating Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, they wilted and melted away.

Under the lights and expectation of the world, their defence was loose and pulled apart by a determined and energetic Matildas side, and apart from a brief spell of possession and pressure in the first half, they were second best and barely laid a glove on an Australia defence that has shown vulnerability in their opening two matches.

Veteran Christine Sinclair looked particularly poor and was one of four players withdrawn at half time, with her final World Cup ending in disappointment as the striker failed to score at the World Cup for the first time in over ten years.

After the high of becoming Olympic champions two years ago, they have truly fallen back to earth and have become the first Gold medalists to be eliminated at the next World Cup; it remains to be seen if Bev Priestman will keep her job.

After everything, Australia top the group

Many Australian fans would have expected the worst after their shocking loss to Nigeria on Thursday, with the country facing the prospect of becoming the second host nation to be eliminated at the group stage of their World Cup (after fellow co-hosts New Zealand!), with particular criticism directed towards coach Tony Gustavsson.

They turned it on when they needed to most, though, as they put in a complete performance and overwhelmed an experienced Canada side that defeated them twice in Australia last year.

Gustavsson made tactical changes that tipped the game in the Matildas' favour, with the team looking much more convincing going forward and delighting the fans in the stadium and around the country.

The win combined with Nigeria's draw with Ireland means they top Group B and will play in the Round of 16 at Stadium Australia, which given the injury troubles and disappointing performances can be seen as a success and potentially a springboard for the rest of the tournament.

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Canada vs Australia live updates, highlights from 2023 World Cup

FULLTIME: Canada 0-4 Australia

AUSTRALIA HAVE DONE IT! They needed to win tonight, and they have done it in some style, destroying the Olympic Gold medalists 4-0 with two goals in each half, securing top spot in the group. Canada in truth were very poor and become the first Olympic Gold medalists to go out in the group stages!

90+6 minutes: There is a World Cup debut as Charli Grant replaces the brilliant Katrina Gorry.

90+4' minutes: GOOOOAAAALLLLL! CATLEY SCORES FROM THE SPOT! Just as she did against Ireland on opening night, Catley dispatches the penalty with aplomb and puts the cherry on top of a perfect night for the Matildas!

90+2 minutes: Australia have a penalty! Fleming fouls Gorry in the box, and after a VAR check, Frappart points to the spot!

90+2 minutes: It's full time in the other match, and Nigeria and Ireland have drawn 0-0, which means Australia as it stands will finish top of Group B!

90th minute: Eight minutes of added time, and one would think eight minutes until Australia confirm their place in the knockout rounds.

89th minute: Viens unleashes a strong shot from distance and forces Arnold into a diving stop.

87th minute: TV cameras are showing Sam Kerr removing strapping on her calf, which seems to indicate she will not be risked at the end of this match.

84th minute: Another change for Australia, as Australia move to a back five with Clare Polkinghorne coming on for Emily van Egmond.

81st minute: Mackenzie Arnold goes into the book for perceived time wasting.

80th minute: Fowler off the post! Gorry weaves her way into the box, and whilst her cross is blocked, it falls to Fowler who then cannons a shot off the post.

79th minute: As Hunt is back to her feet, a crowd of 27,706 is announced, another brilliant night at the World Cup and for football in Australia!

78th minute: Gilles and Hunt are in a head clash from the corner, and Hunt is still receiving attention from the medical staff.

75th minute: Australia make their first change, with double goalscorer Hayley Raso making way for Cortnee Vine, and the Real Madrid winger gets a standing ovation from 28,000 in Melbourne!

68th minute: Australia have only had one more shot than Canada — 5 shots overall — but compared to their opponents, all five have been on target. Emily van Egmond also goes into the book for dissent.

66th minute: A risky ball from Australia gives Canada the chance to break, the ball eventually falls to Rose, but Arnold saves well and denies Canada's best chance of the match.

64th minute: Leon is down after a head knock and has been replaced by Viens. No more changes left for Canada, but they need a massive turnaround to have any hope of making the knockout rounds now.

60th minute: A sour moment for Australia as Gorry is trodded on and is down on the turf, she may exit the field now.

58th minute: GOOOOOAAAAALLLL!!!!!!! AUSTRALIA HAVE THREE! Foord breaks away down the left and gets past Gilles, and slides the ball across to Fowler, whose shot almost goes wide but goes in off the post. Is that the goal that makes it safe for the Matildas?

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56th minute: Canada work the ball neatly on the edge of the box, and it eventually falls to Schmidt, but her shot is poor and well over the bar.

54th minute: An hour gone in the other clash, it is still 0-0, which means Australia remain top of of Group B.

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53rd minute: Cooney-Cross unleashes an effort from a distance, and it forces a reaching save from Sheridan.

51st minute: Another great ball from Catley, but van Egmond and Raso are unable to make a connection on the cross.

46th minute: Canada are indeed making changes, Lacasse, Chapman, Rose and Schmidt replace Sinclair, Riviere, Huitema and Grosso. Shows you what Bev Priestman thought of her sides first half performance...

46th minute: Back underway in Melbourne, are Australia 45 minutes away from a Round of 16 appearance? Or will Canada turn it around and eliminate the co-hosts?

It seems the move of Caitlin Foord to the left wing has paid dividends, as her combination with club teammate Steph Catley has caused Canada a mountain of problems.

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HALFTIME: Canada 0-2 Australia

Australia have roared into a 2-0 lead at half time of this crucial match. VAR has played a key role in the match, awarding one goal and ruling another one out for Mary Fowler, but Raso's second goal has given Australia a precious lead over a lethargic Canada.

Canada have looked lifeless up front, and all at sea at times at the back. They were fortunate with Carpenter being offside by a heel's length, but less than a minute later coughed up a cheap goal. Priestman made three changes at half time against Ireland at 1-1, so expect changes again as Canada needs two goals to get back into the top two.

45+5 minutes: It looks like Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has picked up a yellow card for dissent towards referee Stephanie Frappart. You'd think he'd be calm with his side 2-0 up, but it shows how much this match means for Australia.

45+2 minutes: It's half time in the other match in the group, where Nigeria and Ireland are locked in a 0-0 draw in Brisbane, which means at this stage, Australia and Nigeria are going through.

45th minute: Seven minutes of added time to end the half, will Canada find a late goal like they did last match?

43rd minute: Canada have gone off the boil again after a spell in possession, their defence has been poor tonight and a clinical Australia have punished them. A big half time team talk from Bev Priestman is coming up you'd think.

39th minute: GOAL!!!!!!! RASO HAS A SECOND GOAL! Don't think this one will be chalked off, Canada fail to deal with the corner, the ball falls to Raso, who finishes from a yard out of goal. Australia have their two-goal lead back!

38th minute: NO GOAL! After a lengthy review, Carpenter is adjudged to be offside and the goal is chalked off. A big break for Canada.

35th minute: Unfortunately for Canada, it seems Buchanan took a huge blow, and the goal is being looked at by VAR...

34th minute: GOOOOAAAALLLL!!!!! IT'S TWO FOR AUSTRALIA! Fowler pokes the ball through to Carpenter, and whilst the ball is initially dealt with, the loose ball falls to Fowler in the middle of the box, and she slams it into the roof of the net. Huge moment in the match!

30th minute: Grosso flicks on a corner with her foot, which goes dangerously across the goal. Canada then try to score from the second phase, but Australia are able to deal with it.

28th minute: Van Egmond gets beyond a defender and plays it off to Foord, who floats a cross in the box, but it's too close to Sheridan and she cleans up the danger.

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22nd minute: The free kick is swung in and Huitema leaps at the back post, but can't direct her header on target and it goes wide. Canada growing into this one though...

19th minute: A loose touch from Hunt almost gives Leon a chance, but she recovers and makes a key tackle.

13th minute: Raso almost gets her second! Catley breaks down the left again and slides the ball to Raso, but this time her shot is well saved by Sheridan. A strong start from Australia!

12th minute: The goal means Australia go top of Group B, and Canada are now in third and at this stage heading for elimination!

10th minute: GOOOOOOAAAALLLL!!!!!!! VAR OVERTURNS THE DECISION, AUSTRALIA LEAD! It was a fantastic move down the left from Australia, and Raso had plenty of space and used it to full effect, firing a great shot into the bottom corner. Melbourne goes crazy!

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9th minute: Australia have the ball in the back of the net after a great finish from Haley Raso, but it's called back quickly after Steph Catley is well offside in the buildup.

2nd minute: It looks like Caitlin Foord has moved to the left, with Fowler and van Egmond playing up top for the Matildas, can this unlock a previously stuttering attack?

KICKOFF

We begin in Melbourne, will one of these teams be eliminated by the end of the 90 minutes?

3 minutes from kickoff: Two brilliant renditions of the anthems, and we are just moments away from kickoff in this monumental clash.

6 minutes from kickoff: The teams are out on the pitch to a huge roar from the sold out crowd in Melbourne!

15 mins from kickoff: The Matildas sorely missed Mary Fowler's quality and guile up front against Nigeria, will her return to the side tonight be the difference between success and failure for Australia?

30 mins from kickoff: Tony Gustavsson in a pre-match interview has come the closest to confirming Kerr's ability to play, stating she is available, but only for 'limited minutes'. This combined with the sight of her not warming up seems to indicate she will only be used in exceptional circumstances.

45 mins from kickoff: The Matildas are out and warming up, and Sam Kerr is booted up for the first time in the tournament, however, eagle eyed fans have noticed she has not joined the team for the proper warm up. Is this an indication of her true fitness?

1hr from kickoff: The Olympic Gold Medalists Canada will be facing a passionate and hostile atmosphere as 28,000 desperate Australian fans will try and cheer their team on to victory and a place in the knockout rounds, but much of the Canada side were present at the Olympics victory and play at some of the world's biggest clubs, meaning it will be difficult to rattle them into submission.

1hr 20 mins from kickoff: The lineups are in! As expected, Sam Kerr is once again not starting, and fans will keenly await a potential arrival off the bench. Mary Fowler returns to the starting side in place of Cortnee Vine, whilst Alanna Kennedy keeps her spot at centre back over Clare Polkinghorne. For Canada, Christine Sinclair returns to the starting side in place of Evelyne Viens.

Canada starting lineup (4-3-3): 1-Sheridan (GK) — 8-Riviere, 3-Buchanan, 14-Gilles, 10-Lawrence — 5-Quinn, 17-Fleming, 7-Grosso — 19-Leon, 12-Sinclair, 9-Huitema.

Australia starting lineup (4-4-1-1): 18-Arnold (GK) — 21-Carpenter, 15-Hunt, 14-Kennedy, 7-Catley — 16-Raso, 19-Gorry, 23-Cooney-Cross, 11-Fowler — 10-van Egmond — 9-Foord.

1hr 30 mins from kickoff: In a change from the norm, Australia will ditch their famous green and gold kit for their away strip, will it inspire a change of fortunes in such a pivotal match?

1 hr 45 mins from kickoff: Sam Kerr's status for this crunch match is a major talking point, with the Matildas captain missing the opening two games through injury. On Saturday, she declared she would be available for the clash, but it is unclear whether or when she will be used. However, coach Tony Gustavsson refused to confirm if Kerr would play a part in the match - insisting it will come down to a fitness test before the game.

2 hrs from kickoff: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of a huge Group B clash between Canada and co-hosts Australia. It is the most important match in the Matildas' history to date, as they must win to guarantee a spot in the Round of 16 and avoid joining co-hosts New Zealand in first-round elimination at their own tournament. Canada, thanks to their come-from-behind win against the Republic of Ireland, only need a draw to confirm progression to the Round of 16 but will be chasing a win to top the group and avoid a potential matchup against England.

Canada vs Australia lineups, team news

Canadian midfielder Jessie Fleming is fit and back in a starting role, playing the full 90 minutes against Republic of Ireland last time out after missing their World Cup opener.

The world's leading international goal scorer, Christine Sinclair, didn't start against Ireland and has been extremely wasteful in front of goal. Despite this, she returns to the starting side for this crucial match.

Canada starting lineup (4-3-3): 1-Sheridan (GK) — 8-Riviere, 3-Buchanan, 14-Gilles, 10-Lawrence — 5-Quinn, 17-Fleming, 7-Grosso — 19-Leon, 12-Sinclair, 9-Huitema.

The status of Sam Kerr has everyone talking, but in truth, it's hard to see her passing fit to start here. The Australia coaching staff has been tight-lipped as ever regarding her health, but when they have discussed it, they have not sounded overly optimistic, even if they only ruled her out for the first two matches.

Mary Fowler returns after injury and replaces Cortnee Vine, whilst Alanna Kennedy remains at centre back despite an error leading to a Nigeria goal last match.