Australia
Mackenzie Arnold Was tested inside the opening minute by an early shot from Katrine Veje, but was up to the task. By far the busier of the goalkeepers in the first half, but enjoyed a quiet second stanza. 6
Steph Catley Did not quite have the impact going forward and linking up with Caitlin Foord as she did against Canada, but Catley was solid in defence as Australia kept an impressive clean sheet. 6
Alanna Kennedy Once again excellent in the heart of defence, a commanding presence in the air and her distribution was almost faultless. A resolute display, particularly in the face of Denmark’s early dominance. 7
Clare Hunt As comfortable and composed in defence as she is on the world stage. Hunt and Kennedy are becoming a formidable pairing at the back, working incredibly hard to keep a clean sheet. 7
Ellie Carpenter Excellent in joining the attack and tracking back. Her last ditch tackling was expertly timed and she began to frustrate Pernille Harder, who drifted wide in the second half as she searched for a goal. 7
Kyra Cooney-Cross Long-range passing, set piece ability and defensive awareness again growing more impressive. Won plenty of admirers as she continued her partnership with the more experienced Gorry. 7
Katrina Gorry Unusually quiet by her standards in the first half, but got more into the game after Australia took the lead. Incredible composure in defence with a vital interception to deny Denmark a chance on goal. 6
Emily Van Egmond Impressive performance joining Australia’s front three when the Matildas were in possession and then dropping back so often to win the ball. A canny player who popped up nearly everywhere. 7
Hayley Raso Despite being surrounded by Danish defenders, her acceleration was world class and it was fitting she slotted home Australia’s second goal to seal victory. 8
Caitlin Foord Swarmed by three Danish shirts almost every time she touched the ball but wriggled free every time to put in another player-of-the-match display. Finished off a classic counterattacking play with a superb first touch, before sliding the ball under Lene Christensen to put Australia ahead. Denmark simply couldn’t match her control, pace and strength. 9
Mary Fowler Lost possession too easily in the opening stages, but made up for it with a stunning pass to unleash Foord down the left. Fowler’s control, vision and execution to help Australia seal the win was admirable. 7
Sam Kerr Came on with just over 10 minutes remaining to get some minutes in that calf ahead of the quarter-finals. First touch was a tad rusty, but her attempts on goal were welcomed with much enthusiasm. 6
Cortnee Vine Replaced Emily Van Egmond with 78 minutes on the clock, showed some pace but didn’t see much of the ball. 6
Clare Polkinghorne Replaced Fowler late in the game as Australia wrapped up the win. 6
Tameka Yallop Replaced Caitling Foord with seconds remaining on the clock for her first minutes this World Cup. 6
Denmark
Lene Christensen Didn’t get a meaningful touch until midway through the first half such was Denmark’s dominance in possession. Her second touch was to pick the ball out of the net after Foord’s goal ahead of the half hour mark. 6
Katrine Veje Registered the first shot on goal inside the opening minute of the game, which turned out to be Denmark’s best chance of the half, but she was in the thick of the action in the second half as Denmark chased the game. 6
Simone Boye Immense for most of the first half. Alongside Stine Ballisager, she showed why Denmark have been so tough to break down this tournament. 6
Stine Ballisager Returned to the starting lineup after dropping to the bench against Haiti. Experience was telling as Denmark snuffed many of Australia’s attacking opportunities in the first half, but she struggled to contain them in the second. 6
Rikke Sevecke Had her work cut out for her with Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord running at her. Took a knock to the head in the second half but was able to continue. 5
Rikke Marie Madsen Impressed with her pace and was a real threat going forward. Played part of a fluid front three, linking with Pernille Harder and Amalie Vangsgaard, but then slipping back into defence with Denmark out of possession. 6
Karen Holmgaard Held Denmark’s midfield structure together in the first half, probably helped by having played against many of the Matildas players in the WSL. 6
Kathrine Kuhl Showed brilliant composure to dispossess Raso just as the Matildas star was about to pull the trigger in the first half. Buzzing after an impressive tournament. 6
Janni Thomsen Found it tough going against Foord. Put in a couple of excellent balls into the area, but didn’t do much else of note. 5
Amalie Vangsgaard Immediately threatening, whipping in an early cross that Veje came so close to converting into a goal for Denmark. Showed some great control and created chances for Harder, but couldn’t get the breakthrough. 6
Pernille Harder Led her country’s attack, her pace tested the Matildas’ defence and causing all sorts of problems. Began to drift wide in the second half, but Carpenter had her well covered. 6
Signe Bruun Entered the field just after the hour mark as Denmark went in search of a goal. Had a couple of opportunities, but Australia’s defence held strong. 6
Mille Gejl Came on for Madsen as part of a double substitution, with Denmark desperate to get on the scoresheet. 5
Josefine Hasbo Replaced Kuhl with just over 15 minutes remaining, but didn’t do much of note. 5
Sanne Troelsgaard Didn’t do much of note after coming on to replace Holmgaard. 5
Emma Snerle Came for Vangsgaard with just minutes remaining. 5
