Matildas player ratings: How Australia fared in win over Denmark at Stadium Australia

Sam Kerr’s back, Caitlin Foord shone and the Matildas are through to a World Cup quarter-final carrying the weight of a nation.

Here’s how Tony Gustavsson’s players fared in the 2-0 win over Denmark in the round of 16 match at Stadium Australia on Monday night.

Caitlin Foord - 9/10

Cometh the hour, cometh the queen of the mountain. Brilliantly settled the nerves of a nation with a stunning finish for Australia’s first goal from a counter attack, and was a constant menace to the Danish all night. Almost had a second from a deflected shot and tortured her opponent, Janni Thomsen, into a yellow card through sheer frustration. Emerging out of Sam Kerr’s shadow at the right time.

Mary Fowler - 8

Is there anything she can’t do? The pass to release Foord for the first goal will be replayed for generations to come, and played her part in driving Australia forward for the sequence which produced the second. Had a couple of outstanding moments, and moments take you a long way in a World Cup.

Emily van Egmond - 8

Imagine being Sam Kerr’s replacement in the starting XI. Well, she’s done it and exceeded expectations. Worked creatively between the lines and showed all her class and composure to set up Raso’s sealer when it would have been easy to snap a shot herself. Given a leave pass for the last 11 minutes.

Denmark’s Karen Holmgaard, right, and Australia’s Emily Van Egmond challenge for the ball.Credit: AP

Alanna Kennedy - 7.5

Minister for defence. Australia’s veteran centre back was as composed as ever and even looked dangerous in attack from a couple of set pieces. Erased any lingering memories of the Matildas’ last round of 16 clash in a World Cup when she was harshly sent off against Norway.

Mackenzie Arnold - 7

Australia’s ever reliable custodian, who had surprisingly little to do in the first half-hour despite the Danish dominance. Made one small fumble early in the second half with no consequence, and was solid with her distribution.

Steph Catley - 7

Another captain’s knock from the Arsenal defender. Needed medical attention after 17 minutes, but her telepathic understanding with clubmate Caitlin Foord has been crucial to the Matildas’ charge into the quarter-finals.

Kyra Cooney-Cross - 7

With Ian Wright the No.1 ticket holder in the fan club, how can you go wrong? Like Gorry, really struggled to get a grip on Denmark’s main threat Pernille Harder in the opening exchanges, but her technical ability shone as the Matildas became more comfortable. Star on the rise.

Clare Hunt - 7

A revelation for the Matildas in the last 12 months and has looked every bit at home alongside Alanna Kennedy at the heart of the defence. A few nervy moments in possession in the first half, but grew with confidence the longer the match went on.

Hayley Raso - 7

The golden girl from Melbourne again found herself on the scoresheet with another opportune strike mid-way through the second half. Watch where she was a minute earlier defending near the opposite corner flag. Kept relatively quiet before the goal and lucky to escape without a yellow for leaving her studs in during a first-half challenge.

Ellie Carpenter - 6.5

The Energiser Bunny down the right flank had limited opportunities in attack, but covered endless kilometres. Couple of questionable positioning decisions, but always seemed to recover quickly. Solid.

Katrina Gorry - 6.5

Felt the nerves of the occasion in the first half, wasteful in possession on several occasions and struggling to get a stranglehold in the middle of the park. But showed exactly why her coach trusts her so much, making a crucial interception and seeing out the second half with all her guile and experience.

Substitutes:

Sam Kerr - 5

She’s back! Climbed off the bench with 11 minutes left (at 2-0 up!), Australia’s most watched calf made it through unscathed. Phew. Drove dangerously at the Danish defence and flashed one shot over the bar, and bounced back after twisting awkwardly in the dying minutes. That’s all we needed to see. Can she start the quarter-final?

Cortnee Vine - 4

Came off the bench at the same time as Kerr - not that you might have known. Tried to unsettle the Danish with her pace, but afforded little opportunity to shine.

Clare Polkinghorne - N/A

Like last week, sent on to lock down the vault in the final minutes. Job done.

Tameka Yallop - N/A

Replaced Foord deep in injury time ... and the final whistle blew seconds later. What a job.

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