SHOCKING! Australia knock Brazil out of Women's World Cup

Brazil were knocked out of the Women's World Cup on Sunday after a surprise 1-0 defeat by Australia in the round of 16.

A goal from Kyah Simon 10 minutes from the end earned Australia a place in the quarter-finals where they will face the Netherlands or Japan.

It was an intense physical battle on a wet artificial surface with chances at a premium, but Australia's strong defending and aggressive counter-attacking paid off in the end.

The winner came when Lisa De Vanne broke down the right flank and fired in a low shot which Brazil keeper Luciana spilled out and Simon pounced to slot home.

It was the only goal Brazil conceded in the tournament but it cost them dearly.

"I think we are one of the most dangerous teams at the World Cup if not the most dangerous team going forward," said Australian coach Alen Stajcic.

"With such a young team, you just see so much growth and development in such a short space of time. If they keep growing, we can beat anyone in the world."

France shine

France reinforced the view of many that they are favourites for the title with a classy 3-0 win over South Korea, while a 52nd minute goal from Josee Belanger gave Canada a 1-0 victory over Switzerland in front of a crowd of 53,855 in Vancouver.

France certainly look capable of beating anyone but will need to be at their very best in the last eight, where they will face Germany.

The Koreans, without their best player Ji So-yun because of injury, were no match at all for Philippe Bergeroo's team, who were 2-0 up within eight minutes.

Marie Laure Delie opened the scoring in the fourth minute, ending a fast-flowing passing move with a precise finish.

Four minutes later Elodie Thomis fired home after racing into the box to pick up a pass from Olympique Lyonnais team mate Eugenie Le Sommer. Delie added her second and France’s third in the 48th minute.

South Korean coach Yoon Deok-yeo said his side simply had not been able to deal with the fluid passing and movement of the French.

"Their speed was incredible ... and our defenders had trouble coping with that," he said.

Canada scrape through

Canada were pushed hard by World Cup debutants Switzerland and struggled to find their rhythm but their endeavour was rewarded with Belanger's winner.

Rhian Wilkinson crossed from the right and Christine Sinclair laid the ball off to Belanger, whose first time shot beat Swiss keeper Gaelle Thalmann.

It was a tough loss to take for a Switzerland team who had created more in the final third, largely thanks to the inspired individual skills of forward Ramona Bachmann.

Canada coach John Herdman now faces the prospect of coming up against the country of his birth if England can beat Norway on Monday but did not consider it a potential conflict of interests.

"I'm a Geordie first and foremost, we have our own Geordie nation in the north east of England, and Canadian second, this is my country this is my place, I'd love to see England or Norway it makes no difference."