Australia won in the Women's World Cup Round of 16 for just the second time ever as they defeated Denmark 2-0 in front of a sold-out crowd of 75,000 fans at Stadium Australia.
In front of another huge audience in Sydney, the Matildas opened the scoring through Caitlin Foord in the 29th minute before Hayley Raso scored her third goal of the tournament with a powerful finish in the bottom corner to make the game safe.
They were made to work hard by a Denmark side who used captain Pernille Harder to full effect in the first half, as she got in between the spaces left by the Australian back line and midfield, and scrambling Matildas defence and good goalkeeping from Mackenzie Arnold kept the Danes out.
But when Mary Fowler turned the Danish midfield and ran into space, the game was opened up, and she released an inch-perfect long ball that Foord ran onto before finishing clinically past Lene Christensen, sending the Australian crowd into raptures.
The goal settled Australia, as they made it more difficult for Denmark, though the Europeans had their chances in the second half and caused some nervous moments.
But a brilliant team goal from the Matildas led to Raso lashing a shot into the bottom corner, giving Australia breathing space.
Tony Gustavsson opted to give superstar Sam Kerr her first minutes at the tournament as she entered the game with 11 minutes left, and she almost scored with a strong shot. Most importantly, she didn't re-injure herself — despite slipping and falling awkwardly at one stage — and the Matildas kept a third clean sheet of the tournament as they booked a quarterfinal date with destiny against either France or Morocco in Brisbane on Saturday.
MORE: Player ratings for Matildas vs Denmark
Australia vs Denmark score
| Score | Goalscorers | |
| Australia | 2 | Foord 29', Raso 71' |
| Denmark | 0 |
Confirmed lineups:
Australia confirmed starting lineup (4-4-1-1): 18-Arnold (GK) — 21-Carpenter, 15-Hunt, 14-Kennedy, 7-Catley — 16-Raso (Kerr 79'), 19-Gorry, 23-Cooney-Cross, 9-Foord (Yallop 90+5') — 10-Van Egmond (Vine 79')— 11-Fowler (Polkinghorne 90')
Denmark confirmed starting lineup (4-3-3): 1-Christensen (GK) — 4-Sevecke (Brunn 63'), 5-Boye, 3-Ballisager, 11-Veye — 6-Holmgaard (Trelsgaard 82'), 19-Thomsen, 12-Moller Kuhl (Hasbo 73')— 9-Vangsgaard (Snerle 82'), 10-Harder, 14-Sorensen
Sam Kerr's first World Cup minutes
It was the moment Australia and indeed the world was waiting for: Sam Kerr finally got gametime at the 2023 World Cup!
She was warming up for much of the second half as Denmark were still looking for an equaliser, but many would have been forgiven for thinking Gustavsson would leave Kerr on ice once again after his side doubled their lead.
But he opted to introduce the superstar with just over 10 minutes remaining, perhaps to ensure she had some match fitness in the legs ahead of a potential quarterfinal match against France where she may be needed for an extended period of time.
She was greeted with a rapturous reception from the Sydney crowd and came close to scoring with a strong shot, but she did have limited touches; more importantly, her speed appeared to be close to normal and she showed little signs of being slowed down by her calf injury.
Goals show Australia can do it both ways
Australian football, despite the frustration for many fans, tends to be dominated by pace, power and direct play, though efforts have been made to see teams play in a more progressive and possession-based manner.
Tonight's match showed Australia were effective in both ways, with the opening goal coming from a brilliant long ball from Fowler that the pacy Foord was able to get on the end of, and indeed in the first half Australia were probably opting for the long ball a bit too much instead of trying to play through an admittedly strong Denmark press.
Their second goal from Raso was the complete opposite, with more than four players involved in the build-up, with Cooney-Cross and Fowler involved initially before Van Egmond showed great composure to spot Raso and lay it off, with the winger applying a thunderous finish.
Whilst Australia would prefer to score more goals like the second, it is also positive for fans to see the Matildas being capable of scoring from different situations and with different methods instead of relying solely on one tactic.
Confident Caitlin Foord menace to defences
Before tonight, of all the Australian forwards to play extended minutes at the tournament, Foord had been the only one not to have got on the scoresheet, and her first two matches showed her arguably being a bit tentative in play, lacking self-belief and not taking on defenders as much as we'd expect from the Arsenal star.
She was up for the game tonight, though, and she took her goal wonderfully well under pressure from defenders and goalkeepers. It seemed to lift here massively as she caused huge problems down the left wing, forcing Thomsen to cynically foul her at one point as she showed great skill and strength to beat her marker.
There were sparks of life against Canada when she combined with club teammate Steph Catley so well, and it seems Foord could play the remainder of the tournament on the left-wing spot, even if Kerr returns to the starting side.
If the Matildas are serious about winning the World Cup, they need their star players to shine, and they need Foord to be oozing confidence and belief that she can be the best player on the park and beat anyone and everyone.
Australia vs Denmark live updates, highlights from 2023 World Cup
FULL TIME
It's all over in Sydney and Australia are through! They were made to work hard by a talented Denmark side, but two goals either side of halftime helped the Matildas to just their second ever knockout-round win at the World Cup and a quarterfinal date in Brisbane against either France or Morocco. Denmark had their chances, but couldn't conquer a strong Australia defence.
90+5 minutes: Australia make a time wasting sub, as Tameka Yallop plays her first World Cup minutes in the place of Caitlin Foord.
90th minute: Australia just need to hold on for five minutes of stoppage time.
90th minute: Gorry flashes a shot at goal, but she pulls it wide. In the meantime, Fowler makes way for Polkinghorne.
87th minute: Kerr showing no signs of being impacted by injury as she breaks away from the defence and fires a shot away, but perhaps a bit of rustiness as she blazes it over the bar.
86th minute: Denmark have a dangerous chance as Harder hits a volley from the edge of the area, but it goes just wide of Arnold's goal.
82nd minute: Denmark make another double changem asTrelsgaard and Snerle come on for Holmgaard and Vaansgard.
79th minute: The Matildas make two changes, and Sam Kerr is finally making her debut at the tournament! A roar greets her arrival as she replaces Raso, whilst Vine comes on for van Egmond.
77th minute: The attendance has been announced, and it's officially a sellout, with 75,784 watching this gripping Round of 16 match.
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73rd minute: Denmark make a change in response to the goal, with Hasbo coming on for Moller.
71st minute: GOOOOOAAAALLLLL!!!!!!! RASO HAS ANOTHER GOAL!!!!!!!!! Neat buildup play down the left as Fowler pokes the ball towards van Egmond, who does well to hold it up and release it to Raso, who slams it into the bottom corner. It's her third goal of the tournament, and Australia have breathing space in Sydney!
69th minute: Cooney-Cross' corner hangs up at the back stick giving Kennedy a chance, but Denmark clear for another corner. Meanwhile Sam Kerr is preparing to come on for her first minutes of the tournament!
66th minute: Foord teases and gets around Thomsen, who cynically pulls her down on the edge of the area, and gets a yellow card as a result.
65th minute: A brilliant switch from Gorry released Foord down the left, she goes to the byline and cuts it across goal to van Egmond, but her flick attempt is blocked and eventually saved by Christensen.
63rd minute: Denmark make a double change, as Rikke Sevecke and Rikkie Marie Madsen make way for Signe Brunn and Mille Gejl, two attacking players.
60th minute: The Matildas with a couple of dangerous corners on the hour mark, can they find another goal?
57th minute: Harder has a shot on the run, but it is easy for Arnold to gather.
51st minute: It's been a steady start to the half with both teams fighting to gain control. Australia seem to be managing Denmark's attacking threat better, but will still want to grab a second goal to make the game more safe.
46th minute: Second half begins, Australia have the lead but will want to improve their performance than what they showed fore much of that first half, but the game will surely open up if the score remains 1-0, which would suit the Matildas.
HALF TIME
Australia hold a 1-0 lead over Denmark going into half time. There haven't been a load of chances, but Caitlin Foord had ice in her veins to get on the end of Fowler's brilliant through ball and finish past Christensen. Denmark and Pernille Harder were getting some joy between the lines of Australia's midfield and defence, but the Matildas were more compact at the back as the half went on.
45th minute: There will be a minimum of three minutes of stoppage time for Australia to hold onto their lead.
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38th minute: Foord goes close to doubling her tally, as she curls an effort towards goal, and it's only just over the bar. Australia causing problems down the left once again!
29th minute: GOOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!!! AUSTRALIA LEAD THROUGH CAITLIN FOORD! Fowler gets the ball in the middle of the park, cuts inside into acres of space and puts in a brilliant through ball to the onrushing Caitlin Foord, who gets away from her marker and finishes through the legs of Christensen. Stadium Australia explodes with noise.
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25th minute: Denmark have already forced the Matildas to turn the ball over 24 times in the opening period of the game. They are not sitting off and giving the Matildas time to breathe.
22nd minute: A Denmark corner is floated dangerously into the near post, and Arnold looks nervy as she just about manages to deal with it.
18th minute: Luckily for Australia, Catley is ready to re-enter the field of play. A nervous moment though for the stand in captain!
16th minute: Foord cuts into the middle of the pitch and makes a piercing run through the heart of the defence, but she dwells on it too long and her pass is intercepted, Denmark break down the field and have a shot that is saved, but Steph Catley is now down injured for the Matildas.
10th minute: Harder is given too much space by the Australian defence and goes on a driving run towards goal, her shot is powerful but is wide of the goal. She is causing the Matildas problems already!
9th minute: It's Denmark's turn to have a dangerous attack as Vaansgaard gets away from Catley and sends a ball into the path of Harder, but the captain can't stretch herself enough to get to the pass and the ball is collected by Arnold.
6th minute: The Foord-Catley combination is already looking dangerous, as the latter puts in a dangerous cross that is cleared by the Danish defence.
KICK OFF
We begin in Sydney, a massive 90 minutes for both countries...
3 minutes from kick off: The Australian fans almost take the roof off with a belting rendition of Advance Australia Fair, it is a fantastic atmosphere inside Stadium Australia!
9 minutes from kickoff: The Welcome to Country has been completed, and the teams are moments from entering the cauldron that is Stadium Australia.
15 mins from kickoff: Will superstar Sam Kerr play her first minutes at the World Cup tonight? Read our piece looking over Sam Kerr's fitness here!
30 mins from kickoff: Just half an hour till we begin in Sydney, the stands are filling up and the Australian lineup being announced was greeted to loud cheers from the crowd. They are up for this one!
1hr from kick off: The early match in the Round of 16 has gone to extra time, with the scores being locked at 0-0 between England and Nigeria. And in a dramatic twist, exciting attacker Lauren James was sent off for the Lionesses for violent conduct!
1hr 10 mins from kickoff: Denmark have made one change from the side that defeated Haiti 2-0 in their final group match, with Stine Ballisager replacing Nicoline Sorensen. Pernille Harder will lead the team up front as captain.
1hr 15 mins from kickoff: As predicted, Sam Kerr will start on the bench for Australia, with the Matildas naming an unchanged lineup from their win over Canada. Denmark are yet to reveal their team.
1hr 30 mins from kickoff: We are still over an hour away from kick off, but Stadium Australia is bustling with a hive of activity as 70,000+ fans descend on the stadium. It is going to be a fantastic occasion for Australian football, and many fans will be hoping to see a win from their golden girls.
2 hrs from kickoff: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' coverage of this Round of 16 tie between co-hosts Australia and Denmark. A crowd of over 70,000 is expected in Sydney tonight as the Matildas look to win just their second-ever match in the knockout stages of the World Cup. They won't have it easy against a Denmark side that won twice in the group stages and also has one of the world's top strikers in Pernille Harder. Australia will be hoping their own superstar Sam Kerr will finally be fit to play some minutes after missing the group stages due to a calf injury.
Australia vs Denmark lineups, team news
Australia's World Cup campaign has been far from smooth from an injury standpoint. They were rocked just an hour before their opening match by news of superstar Sam Kerr's calf injury sustained in training, which ultimately led to her missing all of the group stage.
They were further disrupted before their second match against Nigeria when exciting attacker Mary Fowler and veteran defender Aivi Luik were ruled out due to separate concussion incidents at training; the team missed Fowler in particular as they fell to a shock 3-2 defeat.
Fowler did make her return in the final and crucial match against Canada, where she scored twice in the 4-0 win; in that game, coach Tony Gustavsson played Fowler up front and moved Caitlin Foord out to the left wing so she could combine with club teammate Steph Catley in a move that unlocked the Matildas attack and saw them play their best football of the tournament.
Kerr has returned to team training but will not start against Denmark due to her lack of game time, with an unchanged lineup named following the win over Canada.
Australia confirmed starting lineup (4-4-1-1): 18-Arnold (GK) — 21-Carpenter, 15-Hunt, 14-Kennedy, 7-Catley — 16-Raso, 19-Gorry, 23-Cooney-Cross, 9-Foord — 10-Van Egmond — 11-Fowler
Denmark will be led by captain and star striker Pernille Harder, who has a goal and an assist to her name so far this tournament. She has been accompanied on either wing by a host of talented players, including Amalie Vangsgaard, who scored the winning goal against China off the bench and was elevated to the starting lineup against Haiti.
The midfield has remained settled, with Karen Holmgaard and Kathrine Moller Kuhl being mainstays and putting in impressive performances throughout the group stages. There will be a tough choice to choose just one of Rikke Marie Madsen or Josefine Hasbo to be the third player in the middle of the park.
Their backline and goalkeeper remained largely the same for all three group-stage matches, with the side only conceding one goal.
Denmark confirmed starting lineup (4-3-3): 1-Christensen (GK) — 4-Sevecke, 5-Boye, 3-Ballisager, 11-Veye — 6-Holmgaard, 19-Thomsen, 12-Moller Kuhl — 9-Vangsgaard, 10-Harder, 14-Sorensen
Australia vs Denmark TV channel, live stream
Fans around the world will be able to watch the co-hosts in action live on both television and live stream. The game will be broadcast on free-to-air channels in Australia via Channel Seven and their streaming platform 7Plus.
| TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | Fox Sports 1, Telemundo (Spanish), Universo (Spanish) | Fubo, Fox Sports site/app, Peacock, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo (Spanish), Universo NOW (Spanish) |
| UK | BBC One, RTE 2 | BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Web, RTE Player |
| Australia | Optus Sport, Channel Seven | Optus Sport, 7Plus |
| Canada | TSN1, TSN 4, TSN 5, RDS, CTV | TSN+, RDS app, CTV app |
| India | DD Sports | FanCode |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport 1 NZ, Prime TV | Sky Sport NOW, Prime TV |
| Singapore | FIFA WWC CH01 | meWATCH |
| Hong Kong | Now Sports Prime | Now Player |
| Malaysia | — | FIFA+ |
Fans in select regions of the world can stream the Women's World Cup live on FIFA+, including in Japan, Brazil, Indonesia and Thailand.