Australia knocks out Norway, 2-1

It might have been the width of a crossbar that knocked former world champion Norway out of the Women’s World Cup in Germany on Wednesday and instead sent Australia through to the quarterfinals.

The more likely reason was the play of Australia’s Kyah Simon.

The up-and-coming striker, who turned 20 last month, scored twice as the Matildas upset the Norwegians, 2-1, in front of 18,474 in Leverkusen for second place in Group D.

“We knew it was a crucial game, and although a draw was enough for us, we always go out to win,” Simon said. “We really went for it today.”

So did Norway, but luck was not on the side of the 1995 champions.

When Norway took the lead on a 56th-minute goal by Elise Thorsnes, Simon tied it within seconds.

It was still tied six minutes from the end when Norway’s Trine Ronnin banged a free kick against the Australian crossbar. The ball rebounded clear and with it went Norway’s hopes.

Three minutes later, Simon headed in her second goal of the match and Australia, which needed only a tie, was through to play Sweden in the quarterfinals.

“The key moment of the game was when we scored almost immediately after falling behind — it brought us right back into it at a critical time,” Australia Coach Tom Sermanni said.

“When I saw the Norwegians hit the woodwork, I suspected that it was going to be our day.”

For Norway, the rebuilding begins right away.

“The feeling of disappointment is indescribable,” Coach Eli Landsem told FIFA.com. “We had hopes of going further, but now we need to head home and focus on training better and working harder. We’ll be back, and we’ll be a stronger team on our return.”

Brazil is already strong, as its 3-0 demolition of Equatorial Guinea in front of 35,859 in Frankfurt once again showed. Two goals by Cristiane and another by Erika clinched first place in Group D for the South Americans, who will play the U.S. in the quarterfinals.

Equatorial Guinea’s Italian-Brazilian coach, Marcello Frigerio, was philosophical in defeat.

“When you’re up against the likes of Marta, Formiga, Rosana and Cristiane, you only need one mistake to concede a goal, and we’ve made three mistakes today,” he said.

In one other match Wednesday, North Korea and Colombia, both already eliminated, played to a 0-0 tie in Bochum.

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Jones reported from Ross-on-Wye, England