MELBOURNE: Olympic champions Canada crashed out of the Women’s World Cup after a lacklustre campaign ended in a 4-0 thrashing by cohosts Australia in Melbourne in Group B.

The Matildas kicked off under the pressure of knowing that only victory would keep them alive in the finals. They rose to the challenge superbly with goals from Hayley Raso (two), Mary Fowler and Steph Catley (penalty).

They progressed without needing to call on Sam Kerr who remained on the substitutes’ bench despite having been fit to play.

Canada thus suffered their first group stage exit since 2011 and Christine Sinclair was thus denied the chance to become the first player to score at six World Cups.

Nigeria finished as group runners-up courtesy of a simultaneous goalless draw with the Republic of Ireland.

Japan and Spain were already sure of qualifying from Group C but the Japanese overtook their rivals to take top spot with a decisive 4-0 victory in Wellington.

The 2011 world champions made it look easy by scoring three times before half-time, with Hinata Miyazawa scoring twice to become the tournament’s four-goal leading scorer. Riko Ueki and substitute Mina Tanaka scored the others.

Japan will stay in Wellington for Saturday’s round of 16 clash with Norway, the 1995 world champions. Spain will play Switzerland in Auckland.

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