Thorns FC made it 3-for-3 in Round of 16 matches as Christine Sinclair, Rhian Wilkinson and Kaylyn Kyle and Canada and Steph Catley and Australia joined Nadine Angerer and Germany in the quarterfinals of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup with thrilling wins against Switzerland and Brazil, respectively.
Playing in front of 53,855 at BC Place, both Wilkinson and Sinclair played catalysts in setting up Josee Belanger's game-winning goal in the 55th minute. Wilkinson served a ball from the right flank into the box and Sinclair with one touch laid the ball off for Belanger who curled her shot inside the left post.
It was just Wilkinson's second appearance in the tournament, having played as a substitute in Canada's final group match, as she earned the start. Sinclair started for the fourth straight game, while Kyle entered as a second-half substitute and earned her 100th international cap in the match.
Clear on the other side of Canada in Moncton, Australia provided the first "upset" of the knockout round as the Matildas got a late goal from second-half substitute Kyah Simon to advance in the tournament. Catley and Australia's defense was solid once again, registering its second clean sheet of the tournament, while Catley started and logged 90 minutes for the fourth-straight match.
Canada will remain in Vancouver and face the winner of England and Norway on Saturday, June 27th at 4:30 p.m. (Pacific). Australia books a date with either the reigning Women's World Cup champions, Japan, or the Netherlands, on Saturday, June 27th at 1 p.m. (Pacific) in Edmonton. Both matches will be on FOX Sports 1.
