MONCTON, New Brunswick – Substitute Kyah Simon scored in the 80th minute to lift Australia to its first Women's World Cup knockout win, a 1-0 upset of Brazil and star Marta on a rainy Sunday afternoon.
After Katrina Gorry won a ball at midfield, Lisa de Vanna's shot from the top of the penalty area was turned aside by Brazilian keeper Luciana. But the rebound went straight to Simon, who had entered in the 64th minute. She buried the shot for the first goal allowed by Brazil all tournament.
"I was just thinking about the slippery conditions," Simon said. "It's wet, and I needed to follow up and thankfully I was in the right place at the right time."
Aussie goalkeeper Lydia Williams stopped Christiane's header off a long free kick in the 90th minute to clinch Australia's first win in three tries against Brazil in World Cup play. Williams finished with six saves.
Australia moves on to face the winner of Tuesday's match between Japan and Netherlands.
"It was just one moment of magic," Australia coach Alen Stajcic said.
Brazil was seeking its fifth consecutive trip to the quarterfinals.
"It was one detail," Brazil coach Vadao said through a translator. "One ball that we lost at midfield. We had control of the game — especially in the second half."
The 10th-ranked Australians had finished second behind the United States in Group D, the so-called Group of Death.
"It's a big moment there, showing we can compete with the world's best, and we did it here again today," Stajcic said.
It was the 14th international goal for the 23-year-old Simon.
"It's such an achievement and such a milestone in our career," she said. "You know, the people that doubted us, we proved them wrong and kept progressing and playing positive football."
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