Kyah Simon struggled en route to World Cup

The player responsible for Australia’s first-ever senior World Cup knockout-round win has come a long way since watching her teammates play in last year’s Asian Cup on TV.

Kyah Simon spent more than a year out of action with a torn ACL after sustaining the injury in a friendly against the US in October 2013.

The injury ruled her out of the Matildas’ runner-up finish in the Asian Cup and cast doubt over her career.

“When you watch the girls on TV at the Asian Cup and you know you should be there, it was pretty tough,” she told Sky Sports Radio after scoring an 80th-minute goal to defeat Brazil 1-0 and progress to the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup in Canada.

“It was a tough road and I think I definitely came out of the other side mentally tougher.”

Simon continued her tremendous tournament form on Monday (AEST) with a sidefooted volley into the open net past Brazilian `keeper Luciana, to return Australia to their third-straight Cup quarter-final.

It came directly after Luciana fumbled a shot by captain Lisa De Vanna, who had latched onto a fine Katrina Gorry pass.

“I kind of knew, wet conditions, it’s a nightmare for `keepers and they really on any day can fumble anything,” Simon told Fox Sports.

“All I had in the back of my mind was to follow up given there was a fumble by the `keeper.

“I was so lucky to be in the right place at the right time and pick up the `keeper’s scraps.”

The 23-year-old started the tournament on the bench against the US but went on to start against Nigeria before putting in another strong performance in Australia’s 2-2 draw with Sweden.

Her effort against Brazil resulted in one of the biggest upsets of the tournament so far.

The Matildas will play the winners of Wednesday’s round of 16 match between the Netherlands and reigning world champions Japan.