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Summary
Thank you for joining me tonight for another memorable moment in this incredible World Cup. Australia go marching on courtesy of a second excellent tournament victory in a row. It featured another clean sheet, clinical finishing, and even some minutes for Sam Kerr.
With England wobbling in Brisbane, and the US and Germany on flights home, the draw is starting to open up for the hosts. The Matildas will start as favourites against either France or Morocco on Saturday.
To keep up with the build-up to that clash, and everything going on in the women’s game, make sure you sign-up to the Moving the Goalposts newsletter. I’ll leave you to do that, freshen up, and catch you back here on the weekend.
More from Sam Kerr:
I was going to play last game but the girls smashed it. They didn’t need me.
Today there was the opportunity that I wouldn’t play if the girls smashed it. We thought it was best for me and the team, and the girls absolutely killed it. I’m so proud of them.
Me coming on, personally, it was big relief after a big three weeks.
Believe it or not we actually have a plan. The plan was just to warm-up. Once we scored it was kind of like a bit of breather. Take it slow. When I was ready to come on the coaches called me. I was ready. It was a long warm-up. It was good in the end.
Sam Kerr has made it to a microphone:
It was amazing. Obviously it’s a big game for us. Bit nerve-racking. I’m not the best bench player in the world, nervous.
The girls smashed it. They’ve done unbelievable this week. To put in that performance after a big game is amazing.
Denmark played their part tonight, and the quality of their performance would have won many other games, especially their 20 minute burst to start the night. Pernille Harder in particular was magnificent, drifting between the lines and posing a consistent threat. 34 by the time the next tournament comes around, hopefully she has another World Cup left in her.
“Who needs a Holden when Australia has a Foord?”. Quite superb, very niche Australian areas from Crawf9 there.
Our own Beau Dure has been tuning in, emailing: “I’ve been wondering how the USA can produce players like the top attackers on the top European sides. Maybe it’s worth asking how the USA can produce players like Foord, Fowler and Van Egmond? This is superbly played.”
I think the main difference between the US and Australia is how the US accept that they must be the offensive team in every match they play – it stands to reason, they’re the USA. Australia have the luxury of being able to play on the counter, and it is credit to Gustavsson that he has found a Plan B that makes the most of that forward trio. Foord is top class, but the way she’s able to drift out to the left to receive the clearing pass maximises her effectiveness. Fowler is perfect as a false nine, dropping into the space for the first goal and showing vision and weight of pass, while Van Egmond is the glue that links the twin-sixes at the base of midfield and sets the tone with her press.
Now – who misses out when Sam Kerr’s fully fit?
“Considering how terribly the Matildas began the World Cup, they are nearly unrecognisable today. They very much look like a team growing into the tournament.” Absolutely, Kári Tulinius.
Two matches in a row now that are a real credit to Tony Gustavsson. Backed into a corner before the Canada game, he found a Plan B, motivated his players to perform, and they have all stepped up. The discipline and energy in the past 180 minutes have been more like a club side than an international one.
Australia’s squad, and their coach, are taking a well deserved lap of honour, saluting the 75,000 fans in Stadium Australia. The delight on the faces – from players to supporters – is so wholesome and enthusiastic.
10.30pm on a Monday night and city centres around Australia are going wild for women’s football. This World Cup, and this group of Matildas are transformative.
We did it pic.twitter.com/uNBoX3cbSq
— Caitlin Cassidy (@caitecassidy) August 7, 2023
The Aussies v Danes reaction to the Matilda’s second goal in the match pic.twitter.com/rdleNsfB35
— Jordyn Beazley (@jordynbeazley) August 7, 2023
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That was a high quality match between two very good teams. Counter-attack prevailed over the possession-based approach with Australia defending magnificently and benefitting from the game’s dominant force, Caitlin Foord, who scored a brilliant opener and posed a constant threat throughout.
Full-time: Australia 2-0 Denmark
The Matildas keep their World Cup dream alive in Sydney. They will be favourites against France or Morocco in Brisbane on Saturday.
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90+4 mins: Denmark launch it long, but Australia have brought on Clare Polkinghorne to make it three pieces of tall timber at the back to head clear. Australia are going through to a World Cup quarter-final.
90+3 mins: Snerle does well to find room and feed Troelsgaard on the right, but her cross is straight into the waiting arms of Arnold.
90+2 mins: The Danes are unlikely to find a miracle while Australia are controlling the ball deep in attack. But Tony Gustavsson might have wished Ellie Carpenter chose to recycle possession instead of slashing a wild effort wide.
90 mins: Five minutes of added time for Denmark to salvage something.
89 mins: Gorry steps away from a challenge and finds that familiar diagonal out to Foord on the left. She steps inside and shoots but it’s blocked, but Australia recycle only for Gorry to launch one just wide.
Hmmmm, following Foord’s shot, Kerr landed awkwardly and quickly reached for her right groin.
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88 mins: Harder is top class, and she isn’t giving up, acknowledging Kerr’s skill and accepting the baton, flicking the ball over Kennedy with her heel and darting onto the solo one-two. Her teammates aren’t alert to the situation though and Australia get enough bodies back to clear.
87 mins: Fulfilling the pregame narrative, from Harder at one end to Kerr at the other. A long throw in the right-hand channel finds the skipper rolling her defender and powering towards goal. From just inside the box she lets fly but skies her shot over. Still, a good test for that calf.
86 mins: The Matildas are even fouling smartly – Gorry just going the full Man City on Harder on halfway, just far enough from goal to escape a yellow card. Harder gets up and gets on with things though, soon arriving near the box to clip a snapshot wide.
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85 mins: Time ticking away for the Danes now. Australia have managed this half beautifully.
84 mins: Denmark finally get some joy with a direct pass into a forward with their back to goal, but Harder’s offload finds Bruun offside.
82 mins: Australia are giving nothing away in defence. Unlike in attack, where Sam Kerr passes her first touch of the tournament into touch on halfway.
80 mins: Denmark need a plan B. It could be Sanne Troelsgaard, who is coming off the bench. She is entering a match now lacking flow, with repeat throw-ins, free-kicks and substitutions robbing it of a consistent tempo.
78 mins: It is finally time for Australia’s captain to take her place at the 2023 World Cup. She comes on, along with the speedy Cortnee Vine. Off come Hayley Raso and Emily van Egmond.
The noise is deafening for the arrival of Cortnee Vine Sam Kerr.
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77 mins: Denmark with the free-kick about 30m out in a central area. It’s chipped delicately into the box and almost drops for Harder, but there are enough gold shirts around to clear – then it’s proper American Gladiators stuff in midfield with boots flying. Gorry and Cooney-Cross both hit the deck, but concern is short lived as all eyes turn to the bench.
76 mins: 75, 784 fans are in the Sydney Olympic Stadium to witness this. Most of them Australian. Many of them experiencing the best night of their sporting lives.
74 mins: The wind looks to have been taken out of Denmark’s sails somewhat by that second goal. By contrast, Australia are back into their structure, scrapping for their lives. Caitlin Foord again does brilliantly to win back possession on halfway. She is bloody brilliant.
72 mins: Australia’s ball players have all been outstanding tonight when it’s mattered. Foord, Fowler, and Van Egmond have made Sam Kerr’s absence a non-issue for two matches in a row.
GOAL! Australia 2-0 Denmark (Raso, 70)
Raso with the second! But that was all about the magnificent Caitlin Foord. First she accepts the awkward out ball from Catley on the left wing. Then she retains possession superbly, weaves out of traffic and finds Fowler inside. Australia’s No 11 takes over, feeding Cooney-Cross on the left then showing for the return ball on the edge of the box. The through-ball to Van Egmond on the six-yard line causes chaos allowing the lay-off to be delivered on a plate to the onrushing Raso to drill low into the bottom corner.
Updated
69 mins: Denmark win the ball in the air and clear their lines for the first time in a while. They are running out of time.
68 mins: That’s headed over for another set-piece, as the crowd goes wild when they see Sam Kerr putting on her gold jersey.
67 mins: Dangerous free-kick opportunity for the Matildas. Catley tries the cute “Sheringham manoeuvre” to anyone who followed England at Euro 96, but the ball to Fowler isn’t precise. Australia recycle and win another corner.
66 mins: Foord again has a run at Thomsen, giving the Danish defender twisted blood, spinning one way then the other with her back to goal, showing great strength in the process. The Australian No 9 somehow wriggles free and Thomsen hauls her down. Yellow Card to the Denmark No 19.
65 mins: … and when they go the other way they remain dangerous, thanks to Foord. After the ball was in dispute in midfield, Gorry unfurls a long diagonal path into the run of the Arsenal forward. Foord jinks towards the box, crosses, and Van Egmond is first to it, but can only flick tamely towards Christensen.
64 mins: Denmark continue to probe, enjoying territorial domination, but Australia have looked assured at the back. Aside from allowing Harder room between the lines, they’ve looked untroubled.
63 mins: Double change coming up for Denmark with forwards Signe Bruun and Mille Geji Jensen coming on for Sevecke and Madsen.
61 mins: Neither I, nor Katrine Veje, can understand how Hayley Raso has not been booked yet. The Real Madrid dynamo gives up at least her third robust foul of the night but Welch keeps her cards in her pocket.
Updated
60 mins: Sam Kerr is still warming up, by the way. Jacket off now (bib still on).
59 mins: It’s curled in wickedly to the near post and Boye Sorensen does well to glance it wide for a set-piece on the other side of the field. This time Catley’s in-swinger is cleared following a good punch from Christensen, and Foord has to chase hard and slide to deny Denmark a break.
58 mins: Some rare respite for Australia with Van Egmond found by Kennedy, and EVE feeding Foord in the channel down the left. The Arsenal schemer earns a corner. Cooney-Cross to take it.
Updated
57 mins: Harder continues to grow in influence and again she takes possession between the lines, and this time she drives with the ball at her feet as Australia’s defence backpedals. She’s being goaded to shoot, and eventually fires a shot away, which is scuffed straight at Arnold.
56 mins: While I witter on, Denmark have begun to assert themselves in midfield again with Harder moving smartly off the ball to find space between the Australian defence and midfield. The Matildas continue to get bodies in the way or find a toe-poke clearance, but the pressure is beginning to ramp up.
54 mins: I was rubbish at chemistry, but this Australian set-up defensively reminds me of one of those atomic structure model thingumyjigs, with the gold jerseys all linked with strong bonds creating a single powerful element. Am I doing this right?
Updated
52 mins: Gorry doesn’t win a free-kick in midfield and while she’s out of position Denmark find Harder between the lines. She crosses towards the penalty spot but Carpenter steps in and clears.
51 mins: Veje’s long diagonal ball threatens to get over the top of the Australian defence but Catley finds a glancing header to clear. Veje is back in the action again as another header is cleared to the edge of the box but the fullback gets caught between two minds and neither passes nor shoots.
49 mins: Carpenter again comes out on top of a physical contest on Denmark’s left, then Van Egmond absorbs the pressure of three opponents to win a free-kick. Australia look confident and professional. Denmark are going to have to do something special to break them down.
Updated
48 mins: A clash of heads sees Sevecke down for treatment as both teams take their time getting back up to full speed.
47 mins: No subs at the break, but Sam Kerr is warming up behind one of the goals to rapturous applause.
Updated
46 mins: We’re back under way in Sydney for the second half.
“Next goal is crucial” remarks Izzy Christiansen on the telly. Australia would be fine if the scoring ended now. Four clean sheets in their last five for the Matildas.
Andrew James can come again. “If Australia’s shape is like a sort of pyramid,” he emails, “surely Denmark would be well placed to get Jonathan Wilson on the blower, in order to explain how to invert it?”
Paging Coach Beard. Does he speak Danish?
coach Beard baca Inverting The Pyramid nya Jonathan Wilson 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9cIvaWCUeO
— maswir (@WIRAYO) October 10, 2021
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LESSSSSSGOOOOOOOOOO pic.twitter.com/noJNDw5zij
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Faces were glum among the crowd of Danes that have gathered at Cheers pub in Sydney after the Matildas scored their first goal. But they say, it’s not over yet. “We’ll still win, we just don’t want them to lose too bad,” one fan from Denmark told Guardian Australia. It’s only one goal, we’re still in it!” said another.
Half-time: Australia 1-0 Denmark
The Matildas are 45 minutes from a World Cup quarter-final.
45+2 mins: The Matildas continue to do the ugly stuff effectively, breaking up play, resetting with discipline, keeping their minds on the task.
45+1 mins: Three minutes of extra-time to play at the end of the half as Kennedy skims a header away from Vangsgaard. Sevecke hurls in a long throw but Van Egmond is well placed to head clear.
45 mins: Denmark again build slowly from the back but Australia’s structure is impenetrable, like a golden pyramid of four defenders, three midfielders, and two forwards, shaped like an arrowhead pointing towards the centre spot.
44 mins: Why Harder is frustrated is in part because she’s drifted out to the left and she’s getting no change at all from Carpenter.
42 mins: Hunt steps out to toe-poke the ball way from Vangsgaard, then sweeps a left-footed punt downfield to clear her lines. She was born for this kind of muck and bullets work.
Harder, who shone for 20 minutes, has become peripheral, and she’s beginning to show her frustration.
Updated
40 mins: Gorry and Cooney-Cross now have a foothold in midfield, supported ably by the brilliant Foord ahead of them providing respite. The latter’s ability to control the ball in tight areas with her back to goal is a godsend for a team under the kind of pressure Denmark are trying to impose.
38 mins: Close! Australia’s out-ball is over to Foord on the left and not for the first time tonight the Arsenal star cuts in onto her right and unleashes a shot that is deflected narrowly wide of the angle of post and bar. It provokes quite comfortably the worst non-corner decision I have seen in years. The ball took an almighty deflection off the boot, sending the ball into a long wobbly parabola that could only have come from a deflection – and somehow the decision is goal kick.
37 mins: Denmark stroke the ball around their back four, hoping Veje can link with Harder on the touchline, but Australia are moving as one unit across the field, closing passing lanes like those smart toll roads.
36 mins: Denmark’s press is ferocious with red shirts closing down golden ones as soon as they get a sniff of the ball. Australia have so far done well to avoid a catastrophic turnover.
34 mins: Denmark have returned to their early tempo, pinging the ball around midfield with urgency, but Australia have an extra spring in their step now and Fowler and Cooney-Cross snuff out the danger and feed the dangerous Foord on the left. Her trickery takes her into the penalty area before she runs out of room.
32 mins: The danger for Denmark now, of course, is they will have to push harder for an equaliser, creating exactly the spaces in midfield and defence the Matildas are set up to exploit.
Meanwhile, a long ball into the box from Simone Boye Sorensen is flicked behind by Kennedy for a Denmark corner. The delivery is decent but Sorensen is crowded out at the far post.
30 mins: That is tough on Denmark, but that was pure from Australia. Fowler and Foord both superb.
GOAL! Australia 1-0 Denmark (Foord, 29)
The classic counterattacking goal for The Matildas! Denmark get over the top down the left. The cross from Madsen is poor, and Australia clear to Fowler in midfield. Thereafter it is poetry. Control, vision, and execution from Fowler to find Foord making the run through the line. The Arsenal star’s first touch is superb, inviting her to bear down on goal – and she retains her composure to slide the ball under Christensen and into the net.
Updated
27 mins: The tempo has settled down a little with Australia’s recent forays stretching the field and denying Denmark the midfield overload. Gorry and Cooney-Cross – the dual-pivot for the Matildas are starting to see more of the ball, but they have yet to use it effectively.
25 mins: Raso’s press forces a poor clearance that falls to Gorry 35m from goal. The Matildas press forward but again it’s not crisp and Raso concedes another nasty-looking foul. She’s looking not to be in Welch’s book.
24 mins: Australia gain the appearance of territory after a long spell under the pump, but Denmark are unthreatened and the Matildas lack cohesion in possession. My thoughts are already with Sam Kerr’s calf.
23 mins: Close! The set-piece from the left is whipped in right-footed and Rikke Sevecke and Stine Ballisager are both on hand to prod toes as the ball lands inside the six-yard box, but Arnold is there to repel the danger.
22 mins: Madesn again does well, this time back-heeling for the onrushing Veje on the left wing, accepting a whack from Raso for her troubles. Corner Denmark.
20 mins: Madsen robs Australia in midfield, and not for the first time tonight. The way she and Harder and Vangsgaard are all interchanging to create the overload is so intelligent.
19 mins: Catley is back into the fray.
18 mins: Catley is down to receive treatment. It almost feels like a tactical time-out. Australia’s players rush over to Gustavsson to receive instructions – presumably on how to stop Pernille Harder.
Updated
17 mins: A rare ball forward is well collected by Foord with her back to goal, but she’s soon swarmed over by three red shirts. Fowler then loses possession and Denmark break. Holmgaard carries the ball into space waiting for the pass for Harder, which she times to perfection. The Danish skipper cuts inside onto her right foot and drills a low shot straight to Arnold. This is one-way traffic.
16 mins: Now she pops up on the right, dragging Cooney-Cross with her. Australia are chasing the Danish star like they’re chasing this game.
15 mins: The Matildas are giving away possession regularly. Denmark, by contrast are patient in defence and incisive through midfield, always looking for Harder who uses her strength and control to probe in the final third, waiting for a gap to appear. None does, so she recycles possession. Harder looks clearly the standout player on the pitch, drifting between the lines to show for the ball.
Updated
13 mins: Cooney-Cross this time fights her way out of traffic and fires a ball downfield, but it’s soon back with the Denmark defence. Australia have been asked some difficult questions early on and it’s going to take some tactical nimbleness to adjust. The game is very much on Denmark’s terms so far.
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11 mins: Chance! Denmark are overloading the midfield and denying Australia any time on the ball to play their way out. Cooney-Cross is crowded out on this occasion and in a flash Harder is fed through between Catley and Kennedy, driving into the penalty area and unleashing a fierce angled drive that flashes wide of the near post. Denmark look tasty.
9 mins: Chance! Vangsgaard does superbly to control a ball into her feet and play Harder through on the right. Her early cross is almost perfect for Madesn, but she can’t connect with the swept first-time finish.
8 mins: It’s “a proper cup tie” this one. Both fighters looking to command the centre of the ring and assert themselves. Cracking pace and atmosphere. As you’d expect, Hayley Raso is putting her beribboned self about like a whirling dervish.
6 mins: Australia smuggle the ball downfield and win an attacking throw-in that Carpenter can wang into the box. It reaches the six-yard box before it’s headed clear. Carpenter is first to the loose ball and dinks over another cross, this time Catley and Food combine to keep it alive on the left but there are red shirts everywhere in the box. Harder then carries the ball 40m to give her defenders respite and win a throw-in of her own near the left corner.
5 mins: Denmark’s structure in midfield is very good, denying Australia any room to pass through, so Hunt goes for the long diagonal which was – fortunately – rarely seen against Canada. The Danish defence deals with it easily, so the Matildas are back pushing the ball along their back four, looking for an opening, which the disciplined Danish press is refusing to allow.
3 mins: Raso has Australia’s first break for the Matildas but she is soon crowded out by three Danish defenders. Denmark have begun very physically, looking to assert themselves on Australia and neutralise that energetic start they enjoyed against Canada.
Updated
1 min: Denmark with some early pressure and after Vangsgaard pulls a cross back Veje drills a low shot from outside the box straight at Arnold.
Kick-off!
Australia v Denmark is under way.
Sam Kerr gathers he troops into a huddle. They all put their hands in the middle and scream “Aussie!” as they break and take their places on the field.
Australia are wearing gold jerseys, green shorts and white socks. Denmark are top to toe in red, with white trim.
Updated
The anthems are stirring. The mascots could not be cuter or more thrilled to be there. High fives aplenty between the two line-ups. Kick-off imminent.
“Hey J.Dubz, just took my seat at the ground. A truly unique atmosphere at this World Cup, unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. The walk-ins to the ground have such a carnival vibe. We watched the England Nigeria penalties on some total stranger’s phone. A bunch of us crowded around it. Great vibes (but a shame all games aren’t available on FTA).” Go well Chris Paraskevas.
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The two squads make their way along the tunnel and out into the night air. 80,000 screaming fans make their presence felt. This is huge for Australian football.
Updated
France or Morocco lie in wait in the quarter-final in Brisbane on Saturday evening. Their round of 16 clash is tomorrow night in Adelaide.
Ok, finally, all eyes on Sydney and Australia v Denmark.
England beat Nigeria on penalties
Down to ten players for extra time, the European champions squeeze through to the quarter-finals.
Updated
England score their second, Nigeria miss theirs.
Both England and Nigeria have missed their opening penalties…
Tonight’s referee is English trailblazer Rebecca Welch.
Australia are back in their traditional gold tonight. I wonder if there was any consideration about lobbying for their change strip after they performed so well in it against Canada?
Tonight's threads 🧵#Matildas #FIFAWWC #TilitsDone pic.twitter.com/Qw57xnnHwA
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) August 7, 2023
Penalties are a real prospect in Sydney too, which could spell danger for Australia, who were knocked out of France 2019 at this stage after losing a shootout to Norway. Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold is determined to avoid history repeating in Sydney.
“Historically, we haven’t gone too well in penalties, luck hasn’t usually been on our side with that. But we’ve been practising and I’ve been talking with my coaches, just getting little things right for penalties.
England v Nigeria is going to penalties…
Seeing Denmark warming up turned my brain into a 2016 meme:
Name me a more iconic duo than Hummel and Denmark… I’ll wait.
Ask a table full of Danish exchange students studying in Sydney who is likely to win tonight’s do-or-die match and you’ll get the expected answer: “Denmark, of course!”
The group of Danes have come early to score prime seats at a jam packed pub in Sydney to watch the clash. Laura, who is proudly sporting the red Dane jersey, says she’s not fazed by the fact Denmark is the underdog. “We’re a small country, we’re good at being the underdog,” she says.
Nor is she fazed about barracking against the Matilda’s match while on their home soil. “It’s more exciting watching it here because [the Women’s World Cup] not as big in Denmark,” she says. “And it’s all the more exciting if we do win!”
Conditions in Sydney should not affect the game. It’s cool and there’s little wind around, but there is the chance a shower or two could drift though during the 90 minutes.
A feature of Australia’s play this tournament has been the link-up play in wide areas. On the right, Carpenter and Raso offer pace and gusto, while on the left, Catley and Foord have brought their Arsenal club form to the international stage.
Sophie Downey fleshed out the career of Pernille Harder earlier in the tournament, before the Danes lost 1-0 to England.
It feels surprising that Pernille Harder is one of the many making their World Cup debuts this tournament, at 30 years old. She is the jewel in the Danish crown and arguably one of the best players in the women’s game. When she signed for Chelsea in the summer of 2020, the fee set the transfer record and she has been named Uefa Player of the Year on two occasions.
Still 0-0 between 10-player England and Nigeria at half-time of extra-time. Wrighty’s there:
HALF WAY THERE!!!!! pic.twitter.com/zKPW0KPsSs
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) August 7, 2023
Channel Seven in Australia is reporting that, as against Canada, Sam Kerr isn’t warming up. Grace Gill posits it’s to avoid her warming up her injured calf only for it to cool down again before she enters the fray.
RESPECT 🤝 #Matildas #FIFAWWC #TilitsDone pic.twitter.com/3YMlNpUe00
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) August 7, 2023
One way to approach tonight’s match is as a head-to-head between the two captains, leading goalscorers, and former teammates: Sam Kerr and Pernille Harder.
Kerr and Pernille are prima inter pares – first among equals. Players that influence the course of a game in the moment; players that can step up when the defining moment arrives.
Now that Sam Kerr is fit-ish again, Tony Gustavsson has some tricky decisions to make. Kieran Pender looks at the options.
The availability of Australia’s talismanic goalscorer also poses dilemmas for coach Gustavsson. The problem of integrating the “best striker in the world”, in the words of Denmark’s coach, is certainly a good problem to have. But it is a jigsaw puzzle nonetheless – a high-stakes one at that.
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“The Matildas are expected to be back at full strength for their World Cup round-of-16 encounter with Denmark in Sydney on Monday night,” is a lede Australian fans have been dying to read for a month.
Sam Kerr is still on the bench, but she is now a factor as an impact substitute instead of a last-ditch emergency option.
The Danes are well aware of the threat Kerr’s availability brings to the Matildas. “She’s perhaps the best striker in the world, and of course you have to have an eye on her if she’s fit,” warned Denmark coach Lars Søndergaard.
It is important Australian fans don’t take nights like tonight for granted. It has taken decades to reach this point, built on the hard work and dedication of the likes of Matildas great Joey Peters.
In Fifa’s first ever women’s match at the 1988 pilot tournament, Janine Riddington’s goal secured the Matildas victory over Brazil, but Australia did not qualify for the first Women’s World Cup proper in 1991. Four years later, they lost all three matches in their tournament debut. In 1999, my World Cup debut, we got our first World Cup point – a draw with Ghana. We got another point in 2003. Then in 2007, my third and final World Cup, we won our first game – beating Ghana that time. Two draws followed and for the first time we progressed out of the group stage. I remember having such pride at making history with the national team.
When I made my World Cup debut, the idea that Australia could top the group was out of reach – we believed, sure, but we struggled against the might of major football nations. Our games received little attention from the media. We were grateful for our loyal fans, but we would have never packed out AAMI Park.
When Majella Card booked tickets to France to barrack for the Matildas in 2019, there were no support groups to follow the women on their World Cup tour. So she formed one.
Now that the tournament is in Australia, the Matildas Active Support group has expanded even further. The group has its own chants, spanning from Waltzing Matilda to Aussie Ole! and always has two drums in the stands. It doesn’t matter if you’re a long-term A-League supporter or a newbie to the game, the only rules are inclusion and respect.
“The community was always there … but [this tournament] it’s definitely different,” Card says.
We want to keep the atmosphere of what makes the women’s game fantastic, which is an inclusive, supportive culture. It’s about lifting up our team and trying to be really loud and proud. Not everyone wants to become a professional football player. A lot of people just want to be fans. And that’s where we try to step in.
Already a massive sea of Aussies very interested in the England Nigeria result @GuardianAus pic.twitter.com/3vOrk4XVmL
— Caitlin Cassidy (@caitecassidy) August 7, 2023
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The Matildas have arrived at Stadium Australia.
What can we expect from Denmark tonight? Here’s Sofie Engberg Munch:
Starting with either a 3-4-3 or a 4-3-3, Lars Søndergaard can line up his team in different formations, using strong ball-playing midfielders in Karen Holmgaard, Sofie Junge Pedersen, Sanne Troelsgaard, Kathrine Kühl and Josefine Hasbo.
Even though Denmark have no problem keeping possession and prefer this style of play, they are not afraid to defend and go for the counterattack either. Dangerous crosses from Veje, Nicoline Sørensen and Sofie Svava on the wings are a great weapon for Denmark, who will be a threat in the penalty area with their physical abilities.
Denmark XI
Just the one change for the Danes with Stine Ballisager Pedersen returning in place of Nicoline Sørensen from the XI that ground their way past Haiti last time out.
Startopstillingen mod Australien 🇩🇰
— Fodboldlandsholdene 🇩🇰 (@dbulandshold) August 7, 2023
Vi jagter en billet til VM-kvartfinalen 👊#ForDanmark #FIFAWWC #AUSDEN pic.twitter.com/WvwL5kIBNi
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Meanwhile, up in Brisbane, it’s still 0-0 between England and Nigeria with the 90 minutes almost up. But England are down to 10 players with the influential Lauren James sent off for stamping.
Updated
Australia XI
The team sheets are in, and as expected, there are no changes to the Australian XI that played so superbly against Canada a week ago. Sam Kerr will have to ease herself back into action from the bench.
STARTING XI 🗒
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) August 7, 2023
We’re unchanged for tonight’s #FIFAWWC Round of 16 clash against Denmark!
⏰: 8:30pm AEST
📺💻📱: @channel7 & @optussport#Matildas #TilitsDone pic.twitter.com/TQH9nEsow7
Eager fans of the Women’s Football World Cup may boast of having been to every Matildas game. Bonny, though, is on a whole different level.
Drinking a beer on the rooftop at Sydney’s Aurora Hotel with a Matildas beanie and a cardboard sign hanging around her neck, she admits humbly: “I got tickets to every game. Then [my partner and I] decided where we wanted to go and sold what we didn’t need … we’ve still got our New Zealand tickets.”
Asked how many of the 52 games played so far she’s been to, she replies: “I honestly don’t know.”
“She’s nuts,” a friend comments dryly.
Bonny has already flown to New Zealand twice to watch the World Cup, including a trip that required her to leave the Canada versus Australia game at half time. She took a red eye to New Zealand in time to see the Netherlands take to the pitch.
“It took me 15 hours to get to Dunedin,” she explains. “And it was worth it because the Netherlands won 7-0 and I got two kits signed.”
Bonny is the lucky charm of her mate’s friendship group tonight, having left the stadium in Melbourne prior to a further two Matildas goals. “If we’re winning at half time,” a friend tells her, “you’re going.”
Absolute scenes before the Matilda’s fan group heads down to the stadium @GuardianAus #FIFA23 pic.twitter.com/2bZGbRg9C5
— Caitlin Cassidy (@caitecassidy) August 7, 2023
What even is half eight anyway?
Before we go much further, I just want to register my own private annoyance at the kick-off time. Half-eight! On a Monday night. Come on FIFA…
This is one of the biggest matches in the history of Australian football, at a tournament targeted at kids, and we’re not going to finish until anywhere between 10.30pm and midnight.
I’m not ignorant to the challenges of scheduling – especially the impossibility of predicting who qualifies out of the groups – but surely there’s enough flexibility to avoid a match of this scale being played without a massive chunk of the core audience tucked up in bed?
On an ordinary Monday afternoon, Sydney’s Aurora Rooftop Hotel is quiet but for a smattering of office types in the downstairs sports bar. But this is not an ordinary Monday afternoon. Instead, the pub is a sea of green and gold, filled with expectant fans clinking pints, singing chants and embracing ahead of the knock-out game against Denmark.
The supporters group are still buzzing off the back of a 4-0 win against world number seven Canada, a game nobody expected was going to be easy.
For Fatima Flores, though, the dream almost died before it began.
Flores was celebrating a supposed Mary Fowler goal early in the must-win match against Canada before it was disallowed as offside. In the excitement, she fell and trapped her leg between a seat, requiring three support staff to unhook her.
“I’ve got big calves, like Sam Kerr”, she told security several times, as she was wheeled promptly to first aid.
Luckily, a friend of Flores got an iPhone up to watch the game as she was treated, and she was wheeled back to a corner seat by goal number three, where she celebrated Australia’s qualification at the top of its group with the official cheer squad, Matildas Active Support.
“They were trying to get me to get a scan and I said I’m fine, I’m not going anywhere - I need to see the rest of this game. I got to see the rest of it, but I wasn’t on the drums. I just sat with my leg up … if that’s what I have to do to get the Matildas to win, that’s what I’ll do.”
Denmark 🤝 Australia.
The Sydney Opera House will be lit from 6pm AEST tonight to support @TheMatildas as they take on Denmark #FIFAWWC ⚽ 🇦🇺 Aussie aussie aussie!
— Sydney Opera House (@SydOperaHouse) August 7, 2023
📷 NSW Government pic.twitter.com/oiwkcwFmdF
While we ease into the business in Sydney, we should also keep an eye on what’s happening up in Brisbane where England and Nigeria are goalless early in the second half of their Round of 16 contest.
Because of all the interest in tonight’s fixture, we’re starting the ball rolling early again on the blog. That means there’s plenty of time for you to send me an email on your thoughts about tonight’s clash, Australian football, or just the World Cup in general. It’s not as if we’re short of talking points, especially after the US Crashed out yesterday in such extraordinary fashion.
Preamble
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of Australia v Denmark from Sydney’s Stadium Australia. Kick-off in this Round of 16 clash is 8.30pm AEST/11.30am BST.
And what a clash we have in prospect. The 10th-ranked hosts, backed by 80,000 fans, and fresh off their greatest World Cup performance of all time, against 13th-ranked Denmark, emboldened by a youthful generation and led by one of the most inspirational players in the game.
Australia arrive with renewed vigour after smashing Canada last week. The stress of a group stage upset behind them, and with the fitness of skipper Sam Kerr improving by the day, the narrative around the Matildas has returned to pre-tournament levels of optimism. The challenge for coach Tony Gustavsson will be to retain (or fabricate) the backs-against-the-wall spirit that turbocharged their last 90 minutes of action.
For the Danes, everything from now onwards is a bonus. They failed to qualify for the previous three tournaments, and haven’t reached the knockout stage since 1995. And despite only scoring three goals, this is already the first time Denmark have won more than one game at a World Cup. As underdogs with a free hit, they have the potential to spoil the biggest party in Australian football.
Because we’re into the knockout phase if scores are level after 90 minutes we’ll play extra-time and, if necessary, go to a penalty shootout. Settle in, because this could turn into a long and late Monday night.
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