Sam Kerr made her long-awaited return from injury to help World Cup co-hosts Australia triumph over Denmark to reach the quarter-finals, writes Beth Lindop.

Despite being the poster girl for this World Cup, Kerr didn’t feature in any of the Matildas’ group games after picking up a calf injury in training on the eve of the tournament.

The Chelsea striker had declared herself fit ahead of Australia’s decisive Group B clash with Canada, however she remained an unused substitute as Tony Gustavsson’s side romped to a 4-0 victory to book their place in the round-of-16.

Read the report here.

In another show of gamesmanship, Matildas players were hugging sobbing Denmark players at the full-time whistle.

The sight comes after Kelly and Greenwood staved off BBC cameras from a despairing Chiamaka Nnadozie after Nigeria’s 4-2 penalty shootout loss, as well as Sweden’s Kosovare Asslani telling journalists in the aftermath of the USA’s Round of 16 exit “don’t talk shit about the US women”.

The margins have never been finer at the Women’s World Cup. The players know they could be on either side of them.

Chloe Kelly once again supplied England with last-ditch heroics, with her latest salvage act arriving in a dramatic last-16 penalty shootout against Nigeria, writes Megan Feringa.

But while Kelly’s sublimely-taken penalty to secure England’s progression to the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals sent fans and teammates into a unbridled frenzy, the Euro 2022 star spent the moments after her converted penalty consoling the very player she had just gotten the better of.

Joined by teammate Alex Greenwood, Kelly went over to comfort Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie in the aftermath of England’s 4-2 penalty shootout triumph.

Read the story here.

• Colombia vs Jamaica (9am)
• France vs Morocco (12pm)

A superb team display sees Australia cruise past Denmark to reach the quarter-finals. Two great goals from Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso but the biggest news of the day is Sam Kerr’s return.

The Matildas will be delighted to have her back as we approach the business end of the tournament.

80′: The loudest cheer of the day as Sam Kerr makes her way onto the pitch. She hasn’t yet featured at this summer’s tournament due to a calf injury.

Cortnee Vine is also on as a substitute.

AUS 2-0 DEN

England’s quarter-final hopes took a major blow as Lauren James was given a straight red card in the second half of the Lionesses’ tense last-16 encounter with Nigeria, writes Megan Feringa.

The Chelsea forward was initially only handed a caution following an altercation three minutes from full-time with the Super Falcons’ Michelle Alozie.

But after a VAR review, James was adjudged to have dug her studs into Alozie’s back upon standing up.

READ HERE.

70′: Hayley Raso doubles Australia’s advantage and the Matildas might just be waltzing into the quarter-finals…

AUS 2-0 DEN