July 31 highlights from the Women's World Cup

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By Ben Morse, George Ramsay, Ben Church, Jessie Yeung, Tara Subramaniam and Patrick Sung, CNN

From CNN's Ben Church

All eyes were on host nation Australia today and the Matildas certainly came through.

After a disappointing start to the tournament, the co-host announced itself as a possible title contender with a superb 4-0 demolition of Canada.

Elsewhere in Group B, Nigeria was held to a 0-0 draw against the Republic of Ireland but still qualified for the last 16 as the runner-up.

It's a brilliant outcome for the African nation which celebrated its achievement in style after full-time.

Elsewhere on Monday, Zambia recorded its first win ever at the Women's World Cup after defeating Costa Rica 3-1, while Japan thrashed Spain 4-0 to continue its impressive, undefeated start to the tournament.

Tuesday's action:

The United States Women's National Team will look to secure its place in the knockout round when it faces Portugal at 3 a.m. ET.

Vietnam, which is already out of the tournament, will face the Netherlands at the same time.

Attention then turns to Group D where England faces China and Denmark takes on Haiti at 7 a.m. ET.

Thanks for joining us today, we'll see you tomorrow for Tuesday's riveting matches!

From CNN's Hilary Whiteman in Brisbane

The dominating 4-0 performance from Australia, which sent the Matildas waltzing into the knockouts as Group B winners, was celebrated by local fans in Brisbane.

“It’s awesome! We needed that score,” Vanessa Spagen told CNN.

She said she was confident going into the match despite Australia’s 3-2 stumble against Nigeria in its previous game.

“I was hoping Sam [Kerr] would play, but the girls did well without her.”

How does Spagen fancy the Matildas' chances going forward?

“They’ve got a good chance, like everyone else I guess. I think they’ll be fine as soon as they get [the country] behind them and keep going forward.”

With star striker Kerr coming back from a calf injury in the knockout stage, who's to say the locals won't be celebrating in the days to come?

From CNN's Ben Church

A brilliant result for the co-host which is met with huge applause from the home support.

The pressure was on and the Matildas certainly delivered to top Group B.

Canada was punished for a lack of imagination and can't have any complaints at being knocked out of the competition.

Australia surges into the last 16 where it will play the runner-up in Group D -- one of England, China, Denmark or Haiti.

Read the full match report here.

From CNN's Ben Church

Icing on the cake for Australia with a goal from the penalty spot in the 93rd minute.

Steph Catley dispatches the spot kick after VAR spotted a foul inside the box.

Salt in the wound for a lackluster Canadian team.

From CNN's Ben Morse

It's all over in Brisbane and it's finished goalless between the Republic of Ireland and Nigeria.

Both teams showed plenty of attacking intent as they came forward in waves of attacks, but neither could find that goalscoring touch.

Paired with Australia's win over Canada, it's a result that means Nigeria finishes second in Group B and will face the winner of Group D -- likely England -- in the last 16.

From CNN's Ben Morse

The game might not be the most thrilling, but there has been one moment of note for Nigeria.

Onome Ebi was substituted on in the 83rd minute and, in doing so, the 40-year-old became the first African footballer to play in six World Cups.

A monumental achievement and display of longevity.

From CNN's Ben Church

Australia didn't particularly impress in its first two matches of the tournament, but the co-host has turned up the quality when it mattered here.

Despite all the pressure, the Matildas have looked sharp and have outplayed Canada for much of this match.

The team still has talismanic striker Sam Kerr to come back into the startling lineup once she's fully recovered from a calf injury picked up before the opening fixture.

Kerr is on the bench today but, given the scoreline, you can't imagine she'll play any part of this match.

Promising stuff for Australia as the knockout stage beckons.

From CNN's Hilary Whiteman in Brisbane

Medical students Christina Hu and Brandon Law are at the Brisbane fanzone but are supporting different teams

Hu is rooting for Australia despite being American -- she does admit that she may switch allegiances if there’s an Australia vs. USWNT final -- while Law is supporting Canada.

Given the comfortable lead Australia has over Canada, Law is considering switching allegiances right now. He had his head in his hands after the last Australia goal, but also adds hopefully: “There’s a lot of game left.”

From CNN's Ben Church

Australia looks home and dry now after Mary Fowler makes it 3-0 in the 58th minute.

The goal came from a wonderful ball down the line to Caitlin Foord who drives at the Canadian defense.

After some great work, Foord squares the ball to Fowler who sightly miskicks the ball over the line, off the post. A scruffy end to some brilliant build-up play from Australia.

Canada looks to be heading out of the tournament, minus some sort of miracle.