Australia’s route to the Women’s World Cup final explained: how the Matildas can reach the final two of the tournament
- Australia’s route to Women’s World Cup final confirmed
- The Matildas face Denmark in their round of 16 match next Monday
- Here, Daily Mail Australia charts Matildas’ route to the final
Australia’s path to the World Cup final is now confirmed after completing the group stage of the Down Under tournament.
The Matildas finished top of Group B, but it was no walk in the park for Tony Gustavsson’s men, who were at risk of elimination ahead of their final game against Canada.
However, a 4-0 demolition of the Olympic champions has sent a resounding message to the rest of the competition and, with Brazil and Germany suffering surprise exits, the draw has been wide open for the Australians.
So who do the Matildas need to beat to reach the final on August 20?
Daily Mail Australia charts Australia’s route to the main event.
Confirmed the route of Matildas to the final of the Women’s World Cup
round of 16
Australia suffered heartbreak at this stage in the last World Cup, where they were knocked out by Norway, and if they are to avoid the same fate, they will need to beat world number 13 Denmark.
The Danes finished second in a competitive Group D, with heavy favorites England, with wins over China and Haiti along the way.
The jewel in the Danish crown is captain Pernille Harder, who is desperate to make her country’s first World Cup appearance in 16 years count on a memorable run.
Close stronger and the Aussies will have a good chance to advance. They face Denmark on Monday night at Stadium Australia. It starts at 8pm AEST.
The tournament co-hosts must beat world number 13 Denmark in the round of 16.
Quarter finals
The final eight will see the Aussies take on either European titans France or plucky underdogs Morocco who are in the midst of a fairy tale journey in the tournament.
The Matildas will be very familiar with Les Bleues, having played the world number 5 team in a warm-up match for the tournament, which they won 1-0.
But the Moroccans are definitely a surprise package, but pass them on at your peril: two-time winners Germany paid the ultimate price for underestimating the Africans and are on their way home.
They will then face either France or plucky underdogs Morocco (above) in the last eight
semifinals
Victory over France or Morocco would see the Matildas reach the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in their history, and a tough challenge awaited Tony Gustavsson’s team.
The hosts would need to beat England, Nigeria, Colombia or Jamaica to advance to the final on August 20.
Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses are the favorites to win the tournament, despite their star players suffering a series of injuries, although Lauren James has emerged as the standout player of the tournament so far.
England could wait for Australia in the semi-finals unless there are surprising results
But the Aussies know that victory over England is not impossible, having ended the Lionesses’ impressive 31-game unbeaten run with a gutsy 2-0 win at Brentford earlier this year.
Nigeria have also shown that they are capable of giving anyone a match, having inflicted a 3-2 defeat on Australia in the group stage. The Matildas would have to be mentally prepared to get over the shock of that result in Brisbane.
Colombia and Jamaica, like Morocco, are complete wild cards, having defied the odds to even reach the round of 16. If Australia meet either of them in the semi-finals, they will have to contain a team with absolutely nothing to lose, a terrifying prospect.
