Matildas v Denmark: Australia qualifies for quarterfinals, equals deepest run at a World Cup, closes in on history

So can Australia actually win this thing? Yes they can. The Matildas display against Denmark should sound a warning to all other nations in the comp, writes Adam Peacock.

A first-half goal from Caitlin Foord powered Australia to a 2-0 victory over Denmark and a quarter final berth. Picture: Steven Markham/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Everything is possible now. With big guns falling one by one, with a mentality strong enough to thrive on the biggest of footballing stages, and with Sam Kerr finally joining her flying teammates in action, the Matildas surged past Denmark to equal their deepest run at a World Cup.

Can they push further still? Can they win the whole thing?

Yes. The Matildas are clicking as tournament heavyweights including the USA, Germany, Brazil and Canada head home. And after a round of 16 battle in which Denmark threatened, Australia barely blinked despite the weight of expectation increasing with every outing.

Australia celebrates Hayley Raso’s goal that sealed a 2-0 victory. Picture: FRANCK FIFE / AFP

All week Tony Gustavsson spoke glowingly of his side’s ability to stay in the moment.

It worked against Canada.

It was absent to start with against Denmark.

With stands full of gold, and barely a red shirt in sight, the Danes caused a hush with a lightning quick start inspired by their best player, Pernille Harder.

Light of frame but heavy on football IQ, Harder allowed the Matildas to madly counter-press when possession was lost through the middle of the park and drop away into blind spots of Katrina Gorry and Kyra Cooney-Cross. Harder would then be found by an alert teammate and burst forward.

After the fifth moment of Harder danger, Steph Catley fell to the floor holding an ankle. It allowed Gustavsson to call his team over for a chat 20 minutes in.

The words worked.

The Harder supply dried up and the rigidness of the Dane’s defensive set up loosened a touch. Then a sublime turn from Mary Fowler switched the momentum, releasing Caitlin Foord into open pasture.

For the first time all game, and at the top of her game, Foord took the one chance beautifully.

Between keeper Lene Christensen’s legs.

A nation jumping for joy.

Caitlin Foord beats Lene Christensen to score Australia’s first goal. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

One-nil Australia.

On their feet in the stands, screaming and delirious, were Foord’s family. A decade ago, mum Simone would pile Caitlin and her siblings into the car at 4.30am for a two-hour drive from their humble home south of Sydney for the big smoke and elite training sessions at the small athletics track that sits in the shadows of Stadium Australia.

Past and present collide.

Nordic nations aren’t renowned for meek submission and the Danes started the second half accordingly. Wingers higher, tempo higher. Not even the sight of Kerr going through her first public warm up with boots in this tournament could distract from the feeling that the Matildas were under the pump.

As was the case in the first half, Australia were unable to quell their opponents until, again, the Matildas’ stayed composed and played to their strength: getting the ball forward to Foord.

Three times the flyer was found in space, once from a Katrina Gorry diagonal laser, others with intricate play with Steph Catley and Fowler. In the end, the pressure told.

Raso goal. Two-nil.

Hayley Raso celebrates after scoring Australia’s second goal. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Just behind the goal, Kerr, who was twenty minutes into her first warm up, celebrated wildly as if she’d scored. The most famous woman in the building felt the same as the youngest girl in the stands.

Soon after, surprisingly, Kerr made her long-awaited entrance.

The calf is cured! The calf is risked!

Gustavsson, criticised throughout the tournament for his lack of conviction when using “game changers” brought on the ultimate one when status quo would have sufficed.

The noise that greeted Kerr’s entry to the pitch was as loud as any goal scored at the tournament. She moved freely as the seconds ticked by toward the quarter-finals, bursting clear, defenders retreating and worried in the 87th minute before shooting over the crossbar with venom.

Sam Kerr’s return capped off a night where Australia started to believe. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

After two weeks of weird storylines, secrets kept and promises made, all was normal again.

Kerr leading the line. The Matildas winning games.

The biggest game of their lives, until the next one, next week.

More is possible, much more.

France or Morocco next in Brisbane on Saturday.

But on Monday night, all that mattered was the Denmark result, secured in front of those who had walked their path before – former Matildas who once sold lamingtons and washed cars to play for their country – and those who hope to one day walk in their shoes.

The thousands upon thousands of girls in the crowd, some with Raso ribbons, others in Fowler gloves, others with the fortitude of Foord within.

Originally published as Matildas v Denmark: Australia qualifies for quarterfinals, equals deepest run at a World Cup, closes in on history