3. Second consecutive knockout round appearance thanks to a dramatic stoppage-time victory over Norway

After progressing from the group stage for the first time in 2007, the Matildas were desperate to do it again in Germany, 2011. However, their last group match against Norway was a knockout game in itself, as the winner would progress from Group D.

The Matildas found themselves 1-0 down in the 56th minute after a goal to Norway star Elise Thorsnes, but they didn’t stay down for long. Only one minute after going behind, Lisa De Vanna found Kyah Simon with a pinpoint pass in the box and she coolly finished under extreme pressure.

The match was hanging in the balance, with chances for both teams to win it in the dying minutes.

A stoppage-time corner for Australia was cleared wide; only for defender Kim Carroll to curl it back in for one last attempt. Her cross found the head of Simon, who was again clinical with her finishing, sealing the win for the Matildas and relegating Norway to third place in the group.

Australia was gaining a worldwide reputation for participating in close, entertaining matches and this continued that trend. Simon also became the first Indigenous Australian to score at a World Cup.