FIFA Women’s World Cup: Australia advances to quarters beating Denmark; England survives penalty-kick drama | Football News

Australia advanced to the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup beating Denmark 2-0 in Sydney on Monday. Meanwhile, England escaped the drama of penalty kicks against Nigeria to advance to the quarterfinals. England managed to win the game without star Lauren James, who was ejected with a red card.Goals from Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso ensured the Matlidas weren’t the latest big name to crash out following the eliminations of holder the United States, Germany and Brazil.The tournament co-host will face France or Morocco in Brisbane on Saturday.
Australian fans will start to believe their team could go on to be crowned world champion after star striker Sam Kerr returned from a calf injury to make her first appearance at the tournament.
In front of a crowd of 75,784 at Stadium Australia, the Matildas already put themselves on course for the last eight the time Kerr made her entrance in the 80th minute.
Foord fired Australia in front in the 29th after running on to a pass from Mary Fowler.
Raso drilled home a second in the 70th after Emily van Egmond’s lay off.
The Sydney Opera House was lit up in the yellow and green colors of the Matildas as excitement grew ahead of kickoff.
Australian fans feared their team wouldn’t even get out of their group after losing to Nigeria. But a 4-0 win against Canada in its final Group B match secured top spot.
Back in Stadium Australia where it began its campaign on July 20, the Matildas were still without Kerr from the kickoff.
The striker injured her left calf on the eve on that opening game and did not play in the group stage. Despite recovering from the injury, she was named as a substitute against Denmark.
While she sat on the bench, Australia was still too strong for Denmark.
Foord’s opener came after Fowler’s incisive pass from her own half. Foord raced forward and, cutting in from the left, slipped her shot between the legs of Denmark goalkeeper Lene Chrensen to spark wild fan celebrations.
Foord was close to scoring a second before halftime when a shot across goal looped just past the post with Chrensen beaten.
Van Egmond’s backheel from close range was then saved.
But the crowd celebrated as if Australia had scored again when Kerr was shown on the big screen preparing to come on.
Moments later, Australia did score after Fowler found Van Egmond in the box and she laid off to Raso, who drilled a low shot through a crowded area into the bottom corner.
Kerr replaced Raso 10 minutes later to crown a night of celebrations.
England survive
In the England versus Nigeria round of 16 match, both teams were 0-0 after regulation and extra time, giving Nigeria a chance to win a knockout match at the Women’s World Cup for the first time in nine trips to the global tournament.
But European champion England won the shootout 4-2 when substitute forward Chloe Kelly converted the last kick.
England became the title favorite after the two-time reigning champion U.S. team was eliminated Sunday in a penalty shootout loss to Sweden. But England struggled to create opportunities against Nigeria’s defense.
Then with five minutes remaining in regulation, England star forward James was ejected after a VAR review on her violent tackle of a Nigeria defender.
She initially was given a yellow card referee Melissa Borjas after falling on top of Michelle Alozie and stepping on her with her studs as James climbed off Alozie. The crowd groaned as slow-motion replays on the stadium screens showed the play, and, after a delay of several minutes, the yellow card was replaced with a red card.
British media instantly reacted comparing it with David Beckham’s red card for kicking out at Argentina’s Diego Simeone at the 1998 World Cup in France. The red card means James will miss at least one game, and possibly the rest of the tournament.
The Lionesses immediately had to change formation in the 10-on-11 scenario, bringing on Kelly to play a solo role up front.