Australia scores late to knock out Brazil 1-0 at World Cup

MONCTON, New Brunswick (AP) — Substitute Kyah Simon scored in the 80th minute to lift Australia to its first Women’s World Cup knockout win, a 1-0 upset of Brazil and star Marta on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

After Katrina Gorry won a ball at midfield, Lisa de Vanna’s shot from the top of the penalty area was turned aside by Brazilian keeper Luciana. But the rebound went straight to Simon, who had entered in the 64th minute. She buried the shot for the first goal allowed by Brazil all tournament.

“I was just thinking about the slippery conditions,” Simon said. “It’s wet, and I needed to follow up and thankfully I was in the right place at the right time.”

Aussie goalkeeper Lydia Williams stopped Christiane’s header off a long free kick in the 90th minute to clinch 10th-ranked Australia’s first win in three tries against Brazil in World Cup play. Williams finished with six saves.

Australia moves on to Edmonton face the winner of Tuesday’s match between Japan and Netherlands in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

It was 23-year-old Simon’s third goal of the tournament. She scored both goals in a 2-0 group-stage victory over Nigeria.

“It was just one moment of magic,” Australia coach Alen Stajcic said.

Australia survived Group D, the so-called Group of Death, finishing second behind the second-ranked United States after a 1-all draw with No. 5 Sweden in the group finale.

“It’s a big moment there, showing we can compete with the world’s best, and we did it here again today,” Stajcic said.

Seventh-ranked Brazil won all three matches in its group, and was the only team in the field to advance without conceding a goal in the opening stage.

Brazil has been to every World Cup since the women’s version started in 1991. The Brazilians’ best finish was runner-up in 2007, when they lost 2-0 to Germany in the final.

Brazil was seeking its fifth consecutive trip to the quarterfinals.

“It was one detail,” Brazil coach Vadao said through a translator. “One ball that we lost at midfield. We had control of the game — especially in the second half.”

Marta, who was making her fourth World Cup appearance and holds the all-time record for goals in the tournament with 15, was stymied by the Australians.

Her best chance came in the 62nd minute, when she charged down the left side, but goalkeeper Williams dived to pushed the shot away.

Simon’s goal was her 14th in 55 international appearances.

“It’s such an achievement and such a milestone in our career,” she said. “You know, the people that doubted us, we proved them wrong and kept progressing and playing positive football.”

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