FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: Australia downs Denmark to reach quarterfinals

Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso scored the goals either side of halftime for Australia.

Australian players celebrate after scoring during the FIFA Women’s World Cup round of 16 match against Denmark. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Co-host Australia welcomed captain Sam Kerr to the fray for the first time in the tournament as it beat Denmark 2-0 to reach the quarterfinals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup at Stadium Australia on Monday.

Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso scored the goals either side of half-time before Kerr, who has been absent with a calf injury, came on as a 78th-minute substitute to a huge roar from the crowd of 75,784.

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Denmark dominated the early exchanges with Pernille Harder looking particularly dangerous but faded as the game went on with its first World Cup campaign since 2007 destined to end in the last 16.

Australia, which has reached the last eight at three previous World Cups but never gone further, moves on to meet either France or Morocco in Brisbane on Saturday with a place in the semifinals on the line.