Australian women's football team stuns Brazil to achieve best World Cup result

A clinical 80th-minute strike from Kyah Simon secured a World Cup quarterfinal berth for Australia's women's football team after they defeated heavyweight Brazil 1-0 in Canada on Monday.

The knockout victory is the first ever for Australia's women's football team in World Cup history, but coach Alen Stajcic isn't popping the champagne, telling the world the Matildas mean business.

Australia will take on the winner of Japan and the Netherlands in Edmonton on Sunday.

The Australians shook off nerves and relentless pressure to send Brazil, the world No.7-ranked team, packing in what is the their worst World Cup finish since they failed to make the quarterfinals in 1995.

Stajcic described the historic win as "brilliant", stating that his team's focus has been outstanding since their loss to the United States in the Matilda's first group match.

"The team has just responded amazingly, I can't express how proud I am of how they see out their tasks, the effort, the execution, the spirit has just been brilliant," he said after the match.

"But there's still more to come. We're really happy today, we'll celebrate tonight but it's back to work tomorrow because we know we have another potential world champion in our next round."

Simon's 80th minute winner lifted her tournament goal tally to three. She told Melbourne's 3AW radio on Monday the win had not sunk in for a lot of the players.

"I don't think it's fully hit us what we've achieved. (But) we've still got our sights sets firmly on the World Cup trophy," Simon said.

Simon's winner was the only goal Brazil had conceded at World Cup but ultimately the one that sent Brazil home, and Matilda's coach Stajcic praised the youth of his team, telling the media that his young players really stepped up at key moments throughout the match.

"With such a young team you just see so much growth and development. They're 21, 22-year-old kids that just keep growing every day," Stajcic said.

"I said before the game that we're battle-hardened. We've come through three really tough games."

He admitted there was still a lot of football to be played before the tournament could be labeled a success for the World Number 10, but he said if his players continue to show growth, there was no reason they can't go all the way.

"We don't want to get ahead of ourselves and think it is all roses. We've still got a long way to go and we're going to do it. If they keep growing we can beat anyone in the world," he said. Endi