FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Co-hosts Australia into last-eight with comprehensive victory over Denmark

The Matildas saw off their European opponents with conviction in a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Foord and Raso. 

3 minBy Courtney Hill
Caitlin Foord celebrates her goal against Denmark at the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023
(2023 Getty Images)

Co-hosts Australia have progressed to the quarter-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 with a 2-0 victory over Denmark.

Caitlin Foord’s first-half strike, set up courtesy of a sublime Mary Fowler pass, was the difference between the two sides in the first half.

Foord was involved once more for the second goal, kickstarting the move for Hayley Raso's 2-0 at 70'.

The Matildas will now face one of France or Morocco, who contest their Round of 16 clash tomorrow (08 August).

With a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs, and up against the home advantage, Denmark looked to take the game to Australia from minute one.

A few nice passages of play help them up the pitch, but their first clear attempt on goal wouldn’t come until 17 minutes in, falling to Amalie Vangsgaard.

Karen Holmgaard picked up the ball and drove forward, playing the ball into feet of her team-mate who shifted it from left to right, but her eventual effort on target was saved comfortably by Macca Arnold.

Their joy attacking was short-lived, as a swift move to the other end of the pitch saw the hosts establish a first-half lead.

Fowler’s excellent lofted ball over the top fell into the path of Foord, who drove toward goal before firing under Lene Christensen to emphatically fire her nation ahead.

The Danes look to hit back instantly, but Boye’s header was fired over the crossbar.

Possession was shared in the closing stages of the half, but chances were few and far between as neither Australia nor Denmark were able to find the second goal of the game before the half-time whistle sounded.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 07: Sam Kerr of Australia receives the captain's armband from Steph Catley as she is brought in during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Australia and Denmark at Stadium Australia on August 07, 2023 in Sydney / Gadigal, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images )

(2023 FIFA)

The second half followed a similar story, with Denmark looking for their route back into the game. 

Despite the best attempts of captain Pernille Harder to drive the ball forward, the Danes struggled to create anything clear-cut to threaten Arnold’s goal. 

Their hopes of getting back on level terms soon faded, as the Matildas added a second to their tally with an excellent team move. 

Foord was involved once more for the second, kickstarting the move with a pass into Fowler, who found Kyra Cooney-Cross down the left. The ball was then slot back into Fowler, who dinked it into the box for Emily van Egmond, who laid the ball off for Hayley Raso to fire home. 

Despite two wonderfully worked goals, the biggest cheer of the night possibly came when Sam Kerr entered the field as home supporters welcomed her back onto the pitch. 

Their start striker has been out of action in the opening stages of the World Cup, but with minutes now in her legs, will no doubt be involved moving forward. 

A comprehensive victory for Australia will see them meet one of France or Morocco in the last-eight, as they look to continue their run for glory on home soil.

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