MELBOURNE, July 31 (Reuters) - Hayley Raso scored a first half brace and Mary Fowler struck after the break as Australia crushed Canada 4-0 on Monday to storm into the last 16 of the Women's World Cup and send the Olympic champions spinning out of the tournament.
Australia topped Group B on six points, one ahead of Nigeria, who also advanced after a 0-0 draw against Ireland.
They almost made it 2-0 minutes later, but Raso's shot was well saved by goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan.
It scarcely mattered as five minutes later, Raso was celebrating her second strike after Sheridan failed to clear the ball from a set-piece.
But another Australian raid minutes later ended with Fowler slotting in a cross from Caitlin Foord to blow out the lead.
Persons:
Hayley Raso, Mary Fowler, Raso, Sam Kerr, Fowler, Steph Catley, Kerr, Canada's talismanic, Christine Sinclair, Bev Priestman, Kailen Sheridan, Sheridan, Sophie Schmidt, Caitlin Foord, Jessie Fleming clattered, Katrina Gorry, Ian Ransom, Christian Radnedge
Organizations:
MELBOURNE, Olympic, Melbourne, Australia, Ireland, Raso, Thomson
Locations:
Australia, Canada, Denmark, Nigeria, Melbourne