Women’s World Cup: Australia Shocks Brazil, Advances To Next Round

Australia will be in the quarterfinals of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup after shocking heavily-favoured Brazil to the tune of a 1-0 victory in the knockout phase of the tournament.

The Matildas, which will return to the final eight of the World Cup for the third straight time, eliminated Brazil on Sunday causing the biggest shock of the tournament and getting them three games away from the finals. Australia made the quarter-finals in 2007 and 2011 when the World Cup featured only 16 teams and a single knockout round.

Substitute striker Kyah Simon made the lone goal of the match in the 80th minute mark and dissolved Brazil’s strong campaign in the tournament. The Matildas capitalized when the Brazilian team seemed to tire with long balls becoming more frequent and barely challenging Australia’s defence. Brazialian goalkeeper Luciana blocked Matildas team captain Lisa De Vana’s left-foot shot, but awfully fumbled the ball in front of Simon, who instinctively nailed the winning kick.

Brazil’s long-range attacks did not overwhelm Matlidas goalkeeper Lydia Williams, who came up as the hero for Australia with a handful of key saves. Formiga could have snatched a goal in the 63rd mark of the second half with a header into the post, but De Vana immediately scuttled the ball to the other end, leading to teammate Emily Van Egmond’s wide shot.

The Brazilian midfielder also orchestrated a spectacular long range strike, but Williams deflected the goal with a game-saving move that saw her winged to the top corner of the net and tipped the curving shot over the bar with her right hand keeping the match scoreless by half-time.

After withstanding a wave of long range sniper-like attacks from Brazil, the Matildas wildly celebrated on the final whistle not knowing they have made a slice of history in the small town of Moncton. Australia will face the winner of Tuesday’s match between Japan and Netherlands.