Australia shock Brazil to reach Women's World Cup quarter-finals

The Australia Matildas stunned a Brazil team - including Marta - with a late Kyah Simon goal to earn a 1-0 win and reach the Women's World Cup quarter-finals.

It is the best result in Australia's football history for either a men's or a women's team - and the worst World Cup performance from a Brazil women's team ever.

The game was even from the off, end to end, with Marta and Cristiane both lively for Brazil, and Lisa de Vanna and Caitlin Foord causing all kinds of problems at the other end.

Australia goalkeeper Lydia Williams was exceptional, pulling off multiple saves and demonstrating excellent positioning to keep her clean sheet.

But it took until the last 10 minutes for any of the chances to make it into the net as substitute Kyah Simon snaffled the rebound after a terrible mistake by Luciana, who spilled an innocuous shot by de Vanna straight into the path of the Australian player.

11' CLOSE! Van Egmond takes the corner from the other side, dangerous to the back post - and Kerr slams that into the side netting. Close!

28' SAVE! Shot from Formiga! It's dipping and swirling, but Williams gets her fingers to it to tip it over.

62' CLOSE! Lydia Williams is livid with her defence as Marta powers through and hits it first time towards the near post. She saves it and it's a corner.

63' POST! Successive corners, first one to the near post, and the second one bounces allowing Formiga to head down and hit the post!

80' GOAL! And I actually shout at my TV as Kyah Simon tucks home the rebound after Lisa de Vanna's effort is blocked.

88' CONFUSION! Brazil press for that equaliser - and suddenly there are two balls on the pitch. The referee looks angry, the ball kids look puzzled, and it's a drop ball.

90' SAVE! And another terrific save from Williams, right behind Cristiane's header!

Lisa de Vanna and Kyah Simon have scored all of Australia's five goals at this World Cup.

This is the first time an Australia team has made the final eight at a World Cup.

Brazil's disappointing performance may well have implications for their future funding. The world already saw last week how poorly financed the domestic game is (as well as the interesting views of their women's football coordinator). Let's hope that the powers-that-be show some sense and some faith in their team.

Lydia Williams (Australia): Commanding.

Brazil: Luciana 6, Fabiana 7, Monica 7, Andressa 7, Tamires 7, Thaisa 7, Andressa Alves 7, Marta 8, Cristiane 7, Rafaelle 7, Formiga 7. Subs: Beatriz 7, Fernandez 7.

Australia: Williams 9, Alleway 8, Catley 8, Kellond-Knight 8, Foord 8, Van Egmond 7, De Vanna 8, Butt 7, Kennedy 7, Kerr 8, Heyman 7. Subs: Simon 8, Gorry 8.