Matildas vs Norway: World Cup Round of 16 live scores, blog

Australia book its spot in the knockout rounds with a 4-1 win over Jamaica. That meant, after beating Brazil 3-2, they claimed second spot in Group C.

After a heart-breaking last-minute 2-1 loss to Italy in their first game, the Aussies are now back on track.

The will face Norway after the Scandinavian side finished second in Group A. They defeated South Korea and Nigeria, but lost 2-1 to hosts France.

Norway are a traditional powerhouse of women’s football and have won the World Cup in 1995, as well as finishing as runner’s up in 1991.

But more recently they failed to reach the past two Olympic Games and currently ranked 12th in the world, six places below the Matildas.

Interestingly they have not gone further in the World Cup than the round of 16 since 2007.

Norway a strong and settled defence with centre-back pairing Maren Mjelde and Maria Thorisdottir, who play their club football together at Chelsea.

Veteran goalkeeper Ingrid Hjelmseth also offers experience at the back.

Norwegian winger Caroline Graham Hansen suffered an ankle injury in the 2-1 win over South Korea and is in doubt for this game.

Australia will rely on Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord to get them firing up front. Both attackers are in-form and showed their worth in the past two matches.

The Matildas have been knocked out in the quarter-finals in the past three World Cups and will be keen to buck that trend.

Prediction
The two teams are evenly matched but in Kerr the Aussies have a world-class match-winner. They should have the edge heading into this one.

Australia to win 2-1.

When: 5am
Where: Nice
TV: SBS, Optus Sport
Betting: Australia $2.20, Draw $3.40, Norway $2.88

Australia squad
Goalkeepers: Williams, Arnold, Micah
Defenders: Simon, Polkinghorne, Roestbakken, Catley, Kennedy, Carpenter, Allen
Midfielders: Luik, Logarzo, Kellond-Knight, Van Egmond, Yallop, Gorry, Harrison
Forwards: Foord, Kerr, Fowler, Raso, Gielnik, De Vanna

Norway squad
Goalkeepers: Hjelmseth, Fiskerstrand, Bogstad
Defenders: Wold, Thorisdottir, Hovland, Mjelde, Kvamme
Midfielders: S.Hansen, Risa, C.Hansen, Engen, Reiten, Minde, Maanum, Saevik
Forwards: Thorsnes, Herlovsen, Utland, Asland, Eikeland, Haavi, Nautnes

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