Matildas vs Denmark FIFA World Cup 2023: Matildas win 2-0 as Sam Kerr comes off the bench
Caitlin Foord got the party started and the night only got better for Australia. A Sam Kerr appearance was the cherry on top as the Matildas charged into the quarter finals.
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Denmark might have Princess Mary but Australia crowned a new queen after a stunning Mary Fowler performance helped the Matildas qualify for the quarter-finals with a 2-0 win in Sydney which featured the return of superstar striker Sam Kerr.
The young star has provided plenty of highlights already but her pass to set up Caitlin Foord’s opener was the crowning moment for a player who has the potential to lead the Aussie charge for the next decade.
“I think Mary’s been class this whole tournament,” Foord said after the game.
“You know when she’s on the ball that she’s going to create and get a shot off or score a goal, and that makes my job a lot easier.
“I know if I find her in the box then nine times out of 10 it’s going in the back of the net.
“She’s an unbelievable talent and we’re lucky to have her.”
Having weathered several dangerous raids that saw Danish players Rikke Marie Madsen and captain Pernille Harder go close, it was a piece of Fowler magic that sent a raucous crowd of 75,784 into raptures when she toyed with the opposition midfield and then whipped in a long ball with her wrong foot to release Foord.
The speedy midfielder was never going to waste the opportunity, calmly slotting the ball into the back of the net to give the hosts the lead after 29 minutes before she nearly added a second via a deflected shot that should have earned a corner.
A 1-0 lead was always going to be nervy as the Danes pressed for an equaliser, but the fans didn’t have to wait too long for the all-important second goal as Fowler again played a key role to double the advantage.
A neat exchange down the left released the speedy forward who dinked in a dangerous ball which found Emily Van Egmond who laid it off for Hayley Raso who thumped in another goal to continue her stunning World Cup.
GET TO THE CHOPPER
You’ve heard about parking the bus, but now it’s time for everyone to park the chopper after Sam Kerr returned from her calf injury to get 15 crucial minutes under her belt ahead of Australia’s biggest game of the tournament.
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson joked about interest being “sky high” when a helicopter was sent to get fresh footage of Kerr the day before the Denmark game, and the hype is about to go into overdrive now she’s back.
Kerr’s fitness has been the major talking point this tournament ever since she was ruled out an hour before the opener with a calf injury that was kept more secret than Colonel Sanders’ 11 herbs and spices.
The injured striker didn’t feature in the pre-game warmup but received one of the loudest ovations when she was running behind the goal posts early in the second half, and another when she took off her training strip in a clear sign she was ready to go.
That wasn’t so obvious when Raso made it 2-0, but Gustavsson decided to bring Kerr on for the goal-scorer in a move that brought plenty of unnecessary risk.
There was a terrifying moment when she collapsed to the turf without anyone near her, but it proved to be a false alarm as Kerr shook off the rust with some promising touches in a sign she could be ready to start on Saturday.
“Sam was obviously ready to get some minutes, and it was a massive boost for us to have her back,” Foord said.
“Not only for us, but for her as well. This dream is for her as well and she plays a massive part in our team.”
FRENCH CONNECTION
All eyes will be on Tuesday’s game between France and Morocco with the winner set to play the Matildas in Brisbane this weekend.
Morocco has been the feel good story of the World Cup, while Australia beat France just last month in a massive confidence booster just days out from the tournament opener.
Australia lost to Nigeria in their only other game in Brisbane in the group stage, but they’ll fancy their chances to flip the result as they eye off a semi-final berth.
RE-LIVE ALL THE ACTION WITH TARQUIN OAKLEY BELOW TO SEE HOW THE WIN UNFOLDED
By Tarquin Oakley
10:30PM MATILDAS INTO THE LAST EIGHT
Australia have done it!
We’ve reached the quarter finals for the fourth time at a World Cup after a 2-0 win over Denmark.
It’s the Matildas’ second ever win in the knockout stages of the tournament.
There was brilliant spirit from the girls who had to fight through some difficult phases of the match to pull through as victors.
And we even got to see Sam Kerr back on the football field!
Another great night for Australia.
10:20PM HEARTS IN MOUTHS AS KERR HITS DECK
Please be okay. Please be okay. Please be okay.
Those were the words every Australian was thinking as Sam Kerr awkwardly went down in a heap in Denmark’s box.
“It was an awkward one. It’s hard to tell exactly what brought her to ground. Didn’t look comfortable nonetheless,” said former Matilda Grace Gill in commentary.
Luckily, Kerr regained her feet and continued to play out the match.
10.07PM: KERR RETURNS! SUPERSTAR SUBS IN FOR AUSTRALIA
You can stop holding your breath – it’s happening. Sam Kerr is ready for her first minutes of the World Cup.
The Australian superstar was not sighted throughout Australia’s group stage after picking up a calf injury on the eve of the Matildas’ opening clash with Ireland.
There were even fears she was going to miss the entire tournament with the tricky injury.
But just after the hour mark, and with Australia 2-0 up against Denmark, coach Tony Gustavsson has called on the talismanic Matilda to help book a quarter-final berth.
After quickly ducking into the dressing room at Stadium Australia, Kerr returned to a noise of 100 decibels – eclipsing even that of when Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso scored.
10.00PM: GOAL! AUSTRALIA GO TWO IN FRONT
There’s the second goal Australia craved!
Hayley Raso has her third of the tournament after some terrific play in Denmark’s box.
Some Mary Fowler brilliance saw the ball reach Emily van Egmond’s feet, who then fed the ball out to Raso and the rest is in Australian World Cup history.
Will Australia risk Sam Kerr now they’re 2-0 up?
9:50PM DEFENDING FOR OUR LIVES
At the start of the match it was Denmark making all the early running, and again it’s been a little bit of a shaky beginning to the second half.
The Danes are starting to find some pockets of space in the front third which will keep Matildas’ fans on the edge of their seats & couches around the country.
No doubt Tony Gustavsson will be praying for a second goal to relieve the pressure as the second half goes on, but keeping Denmark out is priority one.
“They’re beginning to create a few openings here Denmark. Australia have to regain their composure,” said David Basheer in commentary.
9.40PM: IS KERR ON THE HORIZON?
Will we see Sam Kerr tonight?
We’ve been told she trained. She said she’d play. But so far, all we’ve seen of the superstar striker has been a cheery smile from the interchange bench.
Until now. She’s warming up on the sidelines, potentially signalling a move is imminent.
Information on the calf injury that has, so far, ruined Kerr’s tournament has been hard to come by with Football Australia keeping their cards close to their chest.
And with Australia 1-0 up in this knock-out match against Denmark, could Tony Gustavsson be waiting to deploy his ace in the second half?
If he does, you’ll hear the noise all across Australia.
“Rest assured if she does make any appearance tonight, the roar of this stadium will be unbelievable,” said former Matilda Grace Gill in commentary.
9:20PM MATILDAS TAKE UNCONVINCING HALF-TIME LEAD
- Tilly Werner
A delicious nutmeg from Caitlin Foord has Australia 1-0 up at the break, the Matildas’ sole shot on target for the match.
Denmark’s Pernille Harder has asked plenty of questions of the Mackenzie Arnold and the Danish backline, but Australia has responded as expected with a high attacking line that delivered Foord’s finish.
While the Australians may not be winning out in the middle channel, their control of the flanks is shaping as the crucial factor for what is likely to be a to-the-wire game.
Despite the goal, the largest crowd roar of the night came for vision of Sam Kerr being blasted across the Stadium Australia screens. Kerr has not been warming up with the bench through the half, and went to the dugouts with the XI at halftime, rather than keep warm with the other squad members.
9:10PM AUSSIE SKIPPER’S INJURY MIND GAMES
Was Matildas captain Steph Catley playing mind games when she went down for treatment on a leg injury earlier in the game?
Catley appeared in some strife as she went down requiring attention on her left leg, but has quickly recovered as the Matildas try to force their way back into this contest.
But, as picked up by CODE Sport’s Adam Peacock, Australia coach Tony Gustavsson was quick to take advantage of the small break in play.
After watching his side get overrun in midfield, Gustavsson grabbed his players for a quick chat while Catley was being attended to.
“Steph Catley, I’m not sure if she’s called this so the rest of the team can go over and talk to Tony Gustavsson,” Peacock said.
“Hopefully it’s OK. It’s a lower left ankle, lower left leg situation. As soon as Catley hit the deck, Gustavsson was waving to say, “come over and have a chat.”
Whatever he said, it’s worked wonders.
9:00PM GOOOOOOOAAAAAAL
Caitlin Foord has put the Matildas 1-0 up with a clinical finish that nutmegged Denmark’s goal keeper.
The Danes dominated the opening 30 minutes but Australia struck on the break and Foord’s pace was too much for Denmark.
It’s Foord’s 30th goal as a Matilda and wasn’t it an important one.
CAITLIN FOORD PUTS AUSTRALIA AHEAD!!!
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) August 7, 2023
Mary Fowler plays a simply phenomenal ball and then Foord does the rest.
Boom 💥
Watch LIVE | https://t.co/6ZgG81Rssi#FIFAWWC#OptusSportpic.twitter.com/XZ0UXYLkdO
8:50PM MATILDAS UNDER FIRE EARLY
Denmark have had the better chances after 20 minutes and look particularly dangerous on the counter attack.
Australia have held up okay, with Alanna Kennedy and co keeping out the Danes thus far but they’ve been a tad lucky as well.
Even the referee at one point accidentally got in the way of a Denmark attack.
The Matildas would have liked to have threatened Denmark’s goal a lot more by now.
Football analyst Adam Peacock feels Australia “will cop one soon if they’re not careful”.
8:30PM WE’RE AWAY
After all the talk we’ve finally kicked off in Sydney for the Matildas round of 16 clash with Denmark.
Who will stand up in Sam Kerr’s absence?
Will our star skipper make an appearance off the bench?
Can the girls keep their cool at the back?
All those questions will be answered in the next 90 minutes, or 120...
8:20PM ANOTHER POWERHOUSE ALMOST KNOCKED OUT
The tournament favourite has almost been eliminated in what would have been a huge boost to the Matildas’ hopes of lifting the trophy later this month.
Nigeria took England all the way to penalties, but the Poms held their nerve from the spot.
The English avoid joining the USA, Germany, Canada and Brazil as top-10 ranked nations to have been knocked out of the World Cup.
7:10PM KERR TO START ON THE BENCH
After a week of conjecture about her condition Sam Kerr hasn’t been named to the Matildas starting list for their round of 16 clash with Denmark.
Tony Gustavsson named an unchanged side from the eleven players that put four goals past Canada in their final group match, opting to keep Caitlin Foord on the left wing.
It means Katrina Gorry will be the likely agitator in matching up against Danish playmaker Pernille Harder.
Harder is the x-factor in Denmark’s line-up, not playing the last time the team’s met, in Australia’s 3-1 win over the Danes last year.
Denmark have made one change, opting for defensive midfielder Stine Ballisager, who usually plays a wing back role over midfielder Nicoline Sorensen suggesting Denmark are looking to ensure coverage against the Matildas’ speed at the back of the park and control tempo through the middle.
The Danish side ruled possession stats in their group matches against China and Haiti, allowing them to play their slower football, with Harder liking to control distribution out of the centre and into the final third.
6:45PM ‘NO REGARD FOR LOCALS’: FURY OVER MATILDAS KICK OFF TIME
Parents around the country will be debating whether to let their kids stay up for the Matildas’ round of 16 clash with Denmark tonight.
The 8.30pm kick off time is not a popular one with the locals.
If the match heads into extra time and penalties, we could be looking at an 11.30pm finish on a work night for us adults and a school night for the kids.
One commentator slammed FIFA, saying they have “no regard for the local market”.
It’s certainly not ideal.
8:30 kickoff tonight for the Matildas. Everyone happy with that? FIFA with no regard for the local market!
— Peter Psaltis (@peterp79) August 7, 2023
5:45PM MATILDAS PRAYING FOR KERR ‘MIRACLE’
It’s the question on every Australian’s lips.
Will Sam Kerr play against Denmark?
Well, former Matilda Catherine Cannuli doesn’t hold much hope for the Australian skipper.
“I’m no physio, but I don’t think there’s any chance of her starting tonight,” Cannuli said.
“I think I know a little bit about football and a little bit about injuries, but going the way she’s gone in this tournament I can’t see her starting, and to be honest if we see her off the bench, I think it will be a little bit of a miracle as well.”
If Kerr fails to feature against the Danes, the Matildas can take confidence from topping their group without their skipper playing a single minute of the World Cup thus far.
In particular the 4-0 result against Canada, who sit seventh in the world rankings, should give Australia a huge boost heading into tonight’s round of 16 clash.
3:00PM PARTY POOPERS DENMARK ‘FEEL NO PRESSURE’ AGAINST MATILDAS
Lars Sondergaard said the pressure is on co-hosts Australia in front of a packed house.
Denmark have reached the last 16 for the first time in 28 years after securing a 2-0 win over debutants Haiti to take second place in Group D behind England.
They will face Australia in front of a partisan sellout crowd in Sydney tonight, but Sondergaard said: “Anything can be decided in those kinds of cup games, anything can happen.
“We have a pretty good defence, we have a player like Pernille (Harder) who can decide games.
“So we have a pretty good chance. We know it is going to be difficult but we are looking forward to the game. We are going to see it as a fantastic experience.
“The whole nation are standing behind them. That’s important for them, but it could also be pressure when the game goes into the second half and it’s still 0-0, and anything can happen.”
Forget any celebration plans for the Matildas – it’s Denmark who will be having its own ‘party’ after knocking the hosts out, according to Sondergaard, whose team has no intention of exiting the tournament at the round-of-16 stage at Stadium Australia.
“We’re going to have our own party if we succeed in ruining a party, and that part is fine for me,” Sondergaard said.
“Of course it’s going to be a difficult game but we see chances, and we’re living in this dream and we want to continue living there as long as possible, even until the final day of the tournament.
“As a small country as well, we’re used to being underdogs when we play against the big nations.
“Australia as a home team with a lot of spectators behind them could be said to be favourites and we’re fine with it.
“We want to surprise against them, and we also think – that’s the most important thing – that we can do it.”
Skipper Harder, the undoubted star of the Denmark team and whose first-half penalty put them on the way to victory over Haiti, said her side will not settle for merely reaching the last 16.
“I’m so proud of the girls, proud of the team that we made it through the group stages,” said the Bayern Munich attacker.
“It’s a long time since a Danish team did that at the World Cup so I couldn’t be more proud for the hard work that we put in and I am also excited for the next game.
“It’ll be a full stadium with a lot of Australians in it, so it will be an experience for us and it’s something I’m looking forward to.”
Australia’s skipper and talismanic striker Sam Kerr is expected to return from a calf injury to make her debut at this World Cup but it remains a mystery how much time she will spend on the field.
Harder knows Kerr well, having played with her at Chelsea before her recent move to Germany.
“I’m looking forward to seeing her, but not playing against her,” she said.
Australia beat Denmark 3-1 in a friendly last year, but Tony Gustavsson’s team will be wary of the threat posed by a side that pushed European champions England hard in a 1-0 group stage loss.
Other than Kerr, Australia also have injury worries, with both striker Kyah Simon and winger Cortnee Vine to be assessed before kick-off.
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