![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/07/31/12/73797049-0-image-m-92_1690802272914.jpg)
The Matildas rose to the occasion on Monday as they smashed Canada 4-0 to keep their World Cup dreams alive. Re-live Daily Mail Australia's live blog of all the action from Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
That's all from us this evening, folks! And what a night it was. The World Cup dream remains well and truly alive, and going off tonight's showing, the Matildas are just getting started.
We'll be covering all the big stories over the next seven days heading into the Round of 16 blockbuster, so be sure to stay across Daily Mail Australia Sport for all the breaking news.
Check out our stories from tonight's big game below. See you next time!
PLAYER RATINGS: See how the Matildas stars rated during their win over Canada
Canada star's X-rated outburst at Australia hero Hayley Raso
Anthony Albanese's big mistake in message of support for Matildas
REPORT: Canada 0-4 Australia - Matildas keep World Cup dream alive
Her nephew was one happy chappy after the Matildas' win on Monday!
'There’s something special about this group,' Gustavsson told Optus Sport after the game, adding that he hopes every coach gets to experience being part of a side like his Australian unit.
Who else? It had to be Hayley Raso! She had a fantastic match.
'We knew we had to win, our backs were against the wall, we showed that never say die attitude,' she told Optus Sport.
The Matildas will play their Round of 16 match against either England, Denmark, China or Haiti at Stadium Australia on Monday August 7, at 8.30pm.
The players are doing a lap of honour at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium and they absolutely deserve the love from the crowd. They've delivered on the biggest stage.
Australia have sent a message, loud and clear, to the rest of the competition. It goes something like this...
The reports of our World Cup death are greatly exaggerated
What. A. Win. With everything on the line and immense questions asked of their credentials, Australia have responded in emphatic fashion with a dominant win over the Olympic champions. All without star player Sam Kerr.
Change for Australia. Penalty winner Katrina Gorry receives a standing ovation as she is replaced by Charlotte Grant.
Attendance in Melbourne: 27,706.
Stand-in captain Steph Catley steps up and... scores! She dispatches it in the top left corner.
This is Australia's BIGGEST ever World Cup win and the Matildas are waltzing into the Round of 16.
If you thought we were done with VAR action tonight, think again.
It looks like Katrina Gorry has been fouled inside the Canada penalty area, and now the Matildas have a chance to make it 4-0.
Eight minutes of time have been added here. The full time whistle has blown in Brisbane and Nigeria have drown 0-0 with Ireland, meaning Australia top the group barring a miraculous turnaround from Canada.
Penalty shout for Australia as Foord goes down in the area, but nothing doing from the referee.
Now Arnold's been called into action! She's forced to tip a Viens effort around the post for a corner, which comes to nothing.
Gilles aims a looping header towards Arnold but it does little to trouble the goalkeeper, who would be forgiven for sitting on a deck chair this second half - it's been that comfortable for her.
Change for Australia. Van Egmond is replaced by Matildas veteran Clare Polkinghorne. No goals but a good shift from the striker today.
Gorry makes inroads into the Canada penalty area, she's dispossessed but the ball falls to Fowler who looks to catch Sheridan by surprise with an effort towards the nearpost.
But it rattles the base of the woodwork and Canada survive.
Priestman has made her final change as Smith replaces Quinn.
Kerr doing her bit on the subs bench while there's a pause in play, carrying the water for her teammates.
What a shame it would have been if Australia were to go out tonight without seeing her dazzle in this competition. Here's hoping she can feature in the knockout stages.
Chance Canada! Australia do a poor job clearing a hopeful ball into the box, directing it straight to Schmidt, but her strike is deflected over the bar by Hunt for a corner.
Matildas searching for more here, they're in a ruthless mood.
And they go close to testing Sheridan, with Foord blasting a ball towards goal but Gilles throws her body in front of the effort to spare her side more humiliation.
Raso won't get the chance to take the match ball home, with the Real Madrid star replaced by Vine.
Van Egmond goes into the book for delaying a Canada free kick. You're 3-0 up, girls, no need for unnecessary bookings!
It's still goalless between Nigeria and the Republic of Ireland, by the way.
Slightly fruity language after Raso went down injured following a coming together with Chapman.
'She f***ing jumped into me you t**t'
Canada have made a change after Leon suffered a suspected concussion. She's replaced by Viens.
Now Mary Fowler has her goal!
Caitlin Foord charges down the left flank with the ball, she gets her head up and spots Fowler free in the penalty area.
The Tillies attacker picks her pass perfectly and finds the Man City forward, who slots the ball into the back of the net, via the far post.
Game over. I'm afraid to say Canada are going out with a whimper.
Canada look to probe as Leon whips a cross in. It's cleared only so far as Schmidt who aims a bending shot towards goal but it rises over and does not trouble Arnold.
Now Cooney-Cross decided to have a go from distance, driving a right-footed shot towards Sheridan's goal. The Canada keeper takes no chances and tips over the crossbar for a corner.
The delivery is good but defended well by Gilles.
Australia slice Canada open again! It all comes from a delicious reverse pass by Gorry for Catley. The full back whips a wicked delivery across the six-yard box, with two players waiting.
However neither Foord nor Raso can put a toe on the ball and Canada breathe a sigh of relief.
Slight pause in play as Katrina Gorry goes down injured after a coming together in the middle of the park, but she seems OK to continue.
Fairly subdued start to the half here. Just how Australia would want it.
And Bev Priestman has made a raft of changes at the break in a bid to turn her side's fortunes.
Riviere, Huitema, Sinclair and Grosso are all off. Chapman, Schmidt, Rose and Lacasse have replaced them.
Nigeria are currently being held by Ireland in Brisbane, meaning if things stay as they are, Australia will top the group and play Denmark (if they remain in 2nd after their final match) in the Round of 16.
If you asked Matildas fans to describe the perfect first half, this wouldn't be far off it.
Credit to Gustavsson, he copped a lot of stick for his tactics against Nigeria but, after 45 minutes, he's got it absolutely spot on.
Australia have not given Canada a sniff tonight and are constantly posing problems when they have the ball, with Hayley Raso providing the lethal touch with two sumptuous finishes.
The hosts have been on both sides of tight VAR calls, but will be very happy heading into the dressing room at the interval.
Sam Kerr can keep that calf on ice if we get more of the same in the second half.
First yellow card of the game and it doesn't go to any of the 22 players on the pitch, but Tony Gustavsson on the touchline.
The Matildas coach perhaps showing a tad too much enthusiasm from his technical area there.
The fourth official has indicated seven minutes of additional time for this first half. Hardly surprising, considering we've had two VAR reviews here.
Australia have scored again - and this one shouldn't be ruled out!
Canada do a terrible job dealing with an inswinging corner and the ball drops to Raso, who tucks away from close range with ease. That's her second of the night. Australia flying.
Australia, clearly not affected too much by that call, continue to march forwards and have a corner.
Hang on... the goal is being reviewed by VAR. Possible foul in the build up to that goal.
Nope, in fact it's been chalked off due to offside against Carpenter, who was beyond the goalkeeper when the ball was struck by Fowler.
Australia have doubled their advantage in Melbourne! And it all comes through the hard work of their forward line.
Canada dawdle on the ball and lose it in their own penalty area. Raso drills across goal and Canada desperately try to clear it, but Mary Fowler is hungrier and blasts into the roof of the net.
Big chance Canada! The corner is aimed at the near post, flicked on towards Leon at the back stick. She's slightly off balance and can't redirect the ball, as Australia scramble it clear and breathe a sigh of relief.
Carpenter gives away a free kick after bringing down Huitema on the right flank. The delivery is directed towards Buchanan but Australia bodies are there and it's cleared behind for a corner.
Spell of much-needed calm after what's been a whirlwind start to the game - but Australia won't mind that at all.
Arnold using all her experience to slow things down over a goal kick, although she gets a warning from the referee to get a move on.
As things stand, Australia are heading through to the Round of 16 at Canada's expense.
Canada with a free kick and a chance to send the ball into the box. Fleming sends a deep delivery into the box and, you guessed it, Huitema is challenging for it again.
Her header lacks direction and doesn't threaten Arnold in goal.
And what a thunderous effort it was - Sam Kerr is loving it!
The Matildas can't rest on their laurels here - we saw what happened when they took the lead against Nigeria last week.
Leon drifts a ball to the far post where Huitema is waiting, but it's slightly overhit and drifts out of play.
Raso almost makes it two! The attacker makes a great run into the box, is found by Catley but her effort lacks power and it's saved by Sheridan.
The Matildas have made a blistering start and could be out of sight if Canada are not careful!
Raso buries a right-footed effort into the bottom corner but the flag is up and the goal is ruled out. Steph Catley appeared to be offside in the build up to that effort.
Or is it? After a VAR review, the goal stands! The roof has been blown off the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
Crowd springs into life as Australia win the first corner of the game.
Cooney-Cross readiest herself for the delivery but is told to wait while the referee gives Steph Catley a talking to for crowding the keeper.
The initial delivery is overhit but Australia keep the ball alive before Canada eventually deal with the danger.
The Matildas' counter attacking threat could pose Canada all sorts of problems tonight.
The hosts clear a long throw in and break upfield quickly through Hayley Raso. She finds the impressive Katrina Gorry who wriggles free of a couple of challenges before eventually being crowded out by the Canadians. But positive signs for the Australians.
A long ball from Mackenzie Arnold is knocked down towards the returning Mary Fowler, who puts the burners on as she looks to pressure centre half Buchanan, but the defender sweeps up well and averts the danger.
Australia already trying to establish early possession but it is Canada who make the first foray into the penalty box as Huitema fails to get onto the end of a cross.
The way the Maple Leafs set their stall for this game - in which they only need a point to advance - will be very interesting indeed.
We're underway at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium! Australia - donning their light blue away strip - get the ball rolling.
The players are making their way onto the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium pitch and have been treated to a raucous ovation in what is an absolutely crucial night.
Australia could become the first host nation to be knocked out in the group stage of the Women's World Cup. Here's hoping we avoid that fate.
National anthems next, then kick off.
The whole nation is behind the football team tonight... but Albo, didn't you get the memo - Kerr's not starting!
Not long until kick off now, folks. In just 10 minutes, it is do-or-die for the Matildas' World Cup campaign.
Canada XI: Sheridan; Lawrence, Gilles, Buchanan, Riviere; Quinn, Fleming, Grosso; Huitema, Leon, Sinclair.
Australia XI: Arnold; Carpenter, Hunt, Kennedy, Catley; Raso, Gorry, Cooney-Cross, van Egmond; Fowler, Foord.
They'll need ALL of your support tonight!
She's not even warming up with her teammates, with pictures showing the star stood on the sidelines in a big puffer jacket.
While she doesn't yet need to be warm for the game, it is pretty unusual that Kerr is not preparing with the other substitutes.
If you're looking at that table and still scratching your head as to how the Matildas can go through to the Round of 16, worry not, we've got you covered.
Click below to find out the various outcomes that would result in Matildas qualification for the knockout stages.
A reminder that Nigeria's game against Ireland will kick off at the same time as the game in Melbourne. We'll provide goal updates as and when they go in.
Mail Sport's resident columnist, Mike Colman, has taken a deep dive into the big decision that has raised eyebrows at this year's Women's World Cup.
Click below to read more.
She tried so desperately to be available from the start for Gustavsson. Here's hoping she can make a blistering cameo when her side needs her.
Sheridan; Lawrence, Gilles, Buchanan, Riviere; Quinn, Fleming, Grosso; Huitema, Leon, Sinclair.
Arnold; Carpenter, Hunt, Kennedy, Catley; Raso, Gorry, Cooney-Cross, van Egmond; Fowler, Foord.
It's the news you've all been dreading - Sam Kerr will start tonight's game from the bench after failing to win her race against time to put herself in the starting XI for the do-or-die clash.
Whether she's fit enough to even feature remains to be seen.
How are the nerves, folks?
Well, I wouldn't blame you if your finger nails have taken a good gnawing over the past few days. It's a very tense time to be an Australian football fan right now.
The Matildas' World Cup campaign could end prematurely tonight if results go against Tony Gustavsson's side, in what would be a miserable outcome for a nation that has yearned to be the focal point of the world's biggest tournament for some time.
But they have 90 minutes to avoid such a disastrous fate, and a superstar desperate to stamp herself on the tournament after a frustrating start.
So, will Sam Kerr start? Team news coming right up...
Most watched Sport videos
- Giants fans burn quarterback Daniel Jones' jersey after loss
- Montenegro fans create distraction from football with fireworks
- Las Vegas Raiders fan body slams a woman during brawl
- Awkward moment footy great can't pronounce NRL player's name
- Johnny Gaudreau's wife Meredith announces she is pregnant
- Moment Miami Dolphin's Tyreek Hill is arrested by police
- Jason Kelce bares all with ex-Eagles teammate in revealing beer ad
- Shocking bodycam of Tyreek Hill arrest released by Miami-Dade PD
- Woman exposes NRL boyfriend for leaving her for another
- Ireland fans mock Queen's death aiming chants at England fans
- John Hunt makes a poignant return to the commentary box at Brighton
- Tyreek Hill speeds by police before cops aggressively pull him over
Host commentator