Canadian girls celebrate lone goal against the Swiss

Australia, host country Canada and France have joined Germany and China in qualifying for the quater finals of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.

Australia knocked out Brazil. Thanks to the 80th minute goal by Kyah Simon, who finally broke Brazil’s steadfast defence in Canada to see her country to a 1-0 win over the South Americans, a first ever knockout game victory for the country at any senior FIFA World Cup.

France has also progressed into the quarters with a 3-0 white-wash of Korea Republic. But for their hard work, Les Bleues have been rewarded with a battle with Germany in the quarters.

Elodis Thomis of France and her team mates: they will face Germany in quarters

For hosts Canada, a lone Josee Belanger goal soon after half-time was enough to continue their 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup odyssey at the expense of Switzerland.

There was plenty of endeavour from both teams for the big Vancouver crowd but there was only limited creativity to threaten the goal amid a high-energy contest.

Ramona Bachmann was typically lively throughout the contest and the Sweden-based forward had a near post shot pushed out early on.

Canada’s best chance of the half was inadvertently created as Belanger’s cross struck the far post with the ricochet bouncing off goalkeeper Gaelle Thalmann and away to safety.

Canada grabbed the all-important opener just after the break in what was always likely to be a match of small margins. Belanger was on the end of a Canada move sweeping the ball home from near the penalty spot with a tidy first-time finish, having profited from Christine Sinclair’s assist.

*From reports by fifa.com