Australia put the world on notice with a dominant win over Canada

With their backs against the wall, the Matildas produced their greatest display in brutal signs for their biggest World Cup rivals.

Hayley Raso of Australia celebrates her second goal during the match between Canada and Australia. Picture: Will Murray/Getty Images

Watch out world, these Matildas have found their groove and boy oh boy, do they mean business.

Faced with a must-win contest against the Olympic champions Canada, the Matildas came out guns blazing.

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In front of a packed crowd of 27,706 fans glistening with green and gold, the Matildas put on a show unlike anything they’ve displayed throughout the World Cup group stage.

The world number six Canadians were never allowed to get into any form of groove as Tony Gustavsson’s troops controlled the contest defensively.

Against Ireland and Nigeria the Matildas looked lost at sea on both sides of the ball, but on Monday night when it mattered most … everything clicked into gear.

Offensively, even without Sam Kerr, the Aussies looked as lethal as they ever have.

Hayley Rasso and Mary Fowler continually outpaced their direct opponents as they broke down Canada’s defensive structure.

The Matildas had their highly-fancied opponents in all sorts of trouble and wondering how they were going to slow down the offensive onslaught.

Magnificent half Australia. That’s much more like it.

— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) July 31, 2023

One of the more disciplined halves of football the Matildas have played in recent times. Still depending on wingers + inshallah, but without the ball have played Canada into a paper bag #CANAUS

— James McGrath (@james_r_mcgrath) July 31, 2023

VAR attempted to spoil the Matildas’ party in the opening half after disallowing a goal to Fowler which would have made it 2-0 inside the opening 40 minutes.

But it mattered little as the constant attack paid dividends only minutes later, as Rasso doubled up her goal tally by getting on the end of a corner kick.

Canada tried to pull off a miracle by using four substitutions ahead of the second half. Once again, it mattered little.

Australia’s defensive line continued to hold firm and denied any forward surge that was thrown their way before launching into counter-attack mode.

Emily van Egmond got out the back before finding an open Fowler who managed to find the back of the net in unorthodox fashion and hand Australia an insurmountable 3-0 lead.

Stephanie Catley sunk the boot in with a penalty in injury time to give the Matildas a 4-0 victory.

HAIL MARYYYYY 😇🇦🇺 @TheMatildas#FIFAWWC

— Trent Copeland (@copes9) July 31, 2023

One of the great nights for Australian football. The Tillies stepped up under huge pressure. Dominated from start to finish. Didn't give Canada a sniff. And ended up on top of the group! All without the skipper and best player. Feel like this was a momentum shifter. Get excited.

— Matt Nicholls (@matt__nicholls) July 31, 2023

The Matildas will now wait to find out who their opponent will be in the knockout stage after two Group D games on Tuesday night.

If Demark can topple Haiti 3-0 they can leap into top spot of their group. That would then set up a tantalising matchup between Australia and England.

That would be a contest made even spicier coming off the back of a headline grabbing Ashes series.

If it’s the fourth ranked England or 13th ranked Denmark, it’ll matter little for the Matildas if they can emulate the style of play that had Melbourne fans rocking all night long.