LEVERKUSEN, Germany, July 6, (AFP): A Kyah Simon double fired Australia into the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup here on Wednesday with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Norway in their final Group D game.
Elise Thorsnes opened for 1995 winners Norway after 56 minutes but a minute later Simon grabbed the equaliser with the 20-year-old Sydney FC forward sealing victory with a header three minutes from time.
“There was a lot of courage and commitment shown out there,” said Australia coach Tom Sermanni.
“We knew it would be difficult, Norway have a really robust style of play, but we rearranged the formation (after the break) to give us a bit more balance and the game opened up a bit.”
Simon added: “It was great to get two in the one game. It’s been a long time coming and it’s great for my confidence.”
The Matildas go through to the last eight with already-qualified Brazil from Group D and they next play either the United States or Sweden from Group C for a place in the semi-finals.
Norway are eliminated from the tournament after suffering their first loss to Asian champions Australia in five meetings..

Simon was back in the Australian line-up after being rested against Equatorial Guinea along with 16-year-old striker Caitlin Foord and goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri.
Clare Polkinghorne got her first full start with Emily Van Egmond starting on the bench after playing the first two games.
Both sides failed to make an impact in a lacklustre first half with Norwegian striker Cecilie Pedersen’s first effort on 15 minutes going over the bar.
Play was held up for several minutes when Scandinavian goalie Ingrid Hjelmseth hurt herself as she jumped to catch a cross on front of goal on 28 minutes.
But when the game resumed Thorsnes pushed forward with two efforts on 33 and 37 minutes which were held by Barbieri.
Lisa De Vanna had Australia’s best shot of the first half on 40 minutes but Hjelmseth held firm.
The breakthrough came after 56 minutes when Thorsnes grabbed the first goal as Barbieri rushed out to pick up retrieve the ball only to stumble and allow the Norway striker to race past and slam into an unguarded goal.
Not to be outdone the Matildas hit back straight away, racing towards the Norwegian goal with De Vanna crossing to Simon who coolly tapped into the net for the equaliser.
Simon, 20, missed the chance for a double after 70 minutes when she hit just wide, as a Trine Ronning header for Norway hit the netting six minutes later.
A free-kick from defender Ronning six minutes from time came dangerously close but bounced off the post.

But Simon put the result beyong a doubt three minutes when she picked up another De Vanna cross to head into goal.
Australia finish second in Group D behind Brazil.
Three second-half goals gave Brazil a convincing 3-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea here on Wednesday that secured top spot in women’s World Cup Group D for the 2007 runners-up.
Erika struck in the 49th minute and Cristiane doubled the advantage at the 54-minute mark before completing a brace with a penalty in injury time.
Brazil finished Group D with a perfect nine points and a goal difference of 7-0 as they booked their place in the quarter-finals in ominous fashion.
The South American powers will play the second-placed team in Group C, either Sweden or the United States, on July 10 in Dresden.
Equatorial Guinea depart their first World Cup with zero points, having scored two goals and conceded seven.

Brazil head coach Kleiton Lima made just one change to his line-up, with Renata Costa replacing Daiane in the middle of the back three.
His Guinea counterpart Marcello Frigerio also swapped one player from the starting formation, with Laetita playing in defence in favour of Chinasa.
In front of 35,859 spectators in Frankfurt, Brazil came close to scoring just 60 seconds in, with Marta’s free-kick from the right side a bit too long for Erika as it sailed just wide of the far post. Brazil were a bit wasteful with their cross-field passing in the first quarter-hour and Equatorial Guinea finally challenged the Brazil goal from a corner kick in the 18th minute.
Brazilian goalkeeper Andreia made a superb save a minute later after Anonman latched on to a long free-kick into the box.
Lima’s side set up further forward after half-time and it paid off straight away as the Brazilians took the lead with a magnificent goal.
Marta’s cross from the left was batted away by Guinea keeper Miriam but only just past the penalty spot, where Erika juggled the ball to her left foot and blasted home for her ninth goal in 17th appearances.
Marta was again free on the left flank shortly afterwards and the superstar set up her side’s second goal with a low cross that Cristiane flicked home at the near post.
Cristiane nearly scored again in the 63rd minute but her header went just over the bar.
The Africans remained determined to score and had a solid chance with 12 minutes to play as Anonman’s free-kick from a yard outside the box went just wide of the left-hand post, to the disappointment of the Frankfurt crowd.
Cristiane sealed the win in the 93rd minute, converting from the spot into the lower-right corner after Bruna took down Marta in the box.
It was Cristiane’s 43rd goal in 59 caps.