Australia surge into last 16, Ruthless Japan punish Spain

Melbourne, Aug,1: Co-hosts Australia rescued their Women's World Cup hopes with a 4-0 thumping of Canada to sweep into the last 16 at the expense of the Olympic champions on Monday.

The Matildas came into the clash needing victory to ensure they made the knockout round after a stunning 3-2 defeat to Nigeria left them on a knife-edge.

They thrived on the pressure in front of more than 27,000 in Melbourne to consign Canada to an early flight home, with Hayley Raso scoring twice.

Australia top Group B and set them up for a clash against the second-placed team in Group D -- likely Denmark or China -- in the next round. "I'm so, so proud of this team," said coach Tony Gustavsson. "The players, there's something special about this group.

Talismanic striker Kerr remained on the bench as a precaution despite declaring herself available after a calf injury that had ruled her out of Australia's first two games.

Real Madrid's Raso put them ahead in the ninth minute, firing low into the corner after captain Steph Catley fed a teasing low cross.

They had a goal controversially disallowed 10 minutes before the break, but put it behind them and Raso made sure on their very next attack for her second with a close-range tap-in. A shellshocked Canada made four changes at half-time, but the comeback never materialised and Mary Fowler bagged Australia's third from a counter-attack before Catley sealed victory with an injury-time penalty.

A goal less draw with Ireland also sent Nigeria in the last 16 finishing second behind in Group B. They will now meet the winners of Group D -- which is most likely to be European champions England.

Japan top Group C

Earlier, Japan sent a World Cup warning with a clinical 4-0 thrashing of Spain.

The 2011 champions Japan were 3-0 up by half-time in Wellington as they romped to a victory that allowed them to finish top of Group C and set up a last-16 tie against Norway.

Hinata Miyazawa scored twice either side of a Riko Ueki goal, with Mina Tanaka wrapping up a stunning win late on.

Their first victory in five attempts over Spain was so comprehensive it suggests 11th-ranked Japan may be contenders to win the tournament. They finish the group stage with 11 goals, more than any other team, while they are yet to concede.

Miyazawa, who was substituted at half-time, is also now the tournament's leading scorer with four goals.

"I never imagined it. All of the goals are because of the other players giving me the right passes. So it's everybody's goal, not just me," she said. Spain, who like Japan had already qualified for the last 16 before this game, finish as runners-up in their group and now play Switzerland in Auckland on Saturday.

In the other Group C game, Zambia won a Women's World Cup match for the first time with a 3-1 victory over Costa Rica as they ended their tournament on a high.

US, England next 

On Tuesday the United States and England will look to seal their last-16 spots. The Americans are pursuing a third World Cup title in a row but have been far from their best and were held 1-1 by the Netherlands last time out. The USA may need a big win to finish on top of Group E ahead of the Netherlands, but a shock defeat would almost certainly end their tournament.

The Dutch face already-eliminated Vietnam in the other match in the group.

Also on Tuesday, England only need a draw against China to be sure of going through but will be without key midfielder Keira Walsh due to a knee injury.

Denmark, who are in pole position to get out of Group D with England, face Haiti.

If England top the group they will face Nigeria while the team that comes second in Group D meets Australia. (AFP)