Coming off a loss against the United States, Thorns FC defender Steph Catley and Australia bounced back nicely with a 2-0 win against Nigeria in their second game of group play.
Catley earned her second consecutive start of the tournament, playing 90 minutes, as she moved back onto the left side of defense after playing centrally in the first match. The Australian backline limited a dangerous and speedy Nigerian attack that had previously put three goals past the fifth-ranked team in the world, Sweden, on Monday.
Both goals were scored by Kyah Simon as she became the first Australian with two career multi-goal games at the World Cup. Simon opened the scoring in the 29th minute and tallied her second goal in the 68th minute to give the Matildas a cushion in the last 20-plus minutes of action.
The win puts Australia in solid position in the group on three points after two games. Australia will face Sweden in their final group match on Tuesday, June 16, at 5 p.m. (Pacific) on FOX Sports 1.
