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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Kieran Pender in Melbourne

Matildas enter last-chance saloon with door to World Cup last 16 still open

The Matildas must beat Canada in Melbourne to guarantee progress to the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup.
The Matildas must beat Canada in Melbourne to guarantee progress to the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup. Photograph: Mark Metcalfe/FIFA/Getty Images

Waltzing Matildas or wilting Matildas? That’s the question that awaits resolution on Monday night, when Australia play Canada in one of the biggest matches in the team’s history.

The group stage maths is relatively simple. Win and the Matildas are guaranteed a spot in the round of 16 at their home Women’s World Cup. Lose and their tournament is over. Draw and the team’s fate will rest with Ireland, who would need to beat Nigeria (with goal difference breaking the Matildas’ way). The only way Australia can be certain of progression is to win – to beat the Olympic champions, a team who twice vanquished the Matildas last year.

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