The Westfield Matildas are through to the quarter finals of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 after Kyah Simon's two goals gave Australia a 2-1 win over Norway in Leverkusen.
Norway opened the scoring in the 56th minute but Simon equalised for the Westfield Matildas from the restart and her header three minutes from time was enough to see the Westfield Matildas through to their second FIFA Women's World Cup quarter finals in succession.
"I have been wanting one (goal) ever since the tournament started and it was great to get two in one game. I think it has been a long time coming and it is great for my confidence to finally get one and two was a bonus," said Simon.
"Obviously making it through to the quarter finals, we are going to have some confidence under our belt and we only know that it is only going to get tougher from here. Any opposition that you put to us, I am sure we will give 100% and hopefully move forward into the tournament."
The Westfield Matildas made five changes with Simon, Lisa De Vanna, Clare Polkinghorne, Caitlin Foord and Melissa Barbieri recalled to the starting line-up.
Despite needing just a draw to go through, Australia had the better of the early exchanges but Norway came close to scoring the first goal of the match when Pedersen's shot in the 15th minute was tipped away by Barbieri.
That changed the momentum of the match as Barbieri was forced to make three more saves to deny Norway the opening goal. The first two came from long range shots by Thorsnes while the third came from Pedersen, Norway's most dangerous player in the first half.
Australia's best opportunity in the first half came six minutes from the break. Simon set up De Vanna at the top of the box but De Vanna's shot failed to trouble Norway's goalkeeper Hjelmseth.
Hjelmseth failed to recover from an injury sustained in the first half and was substituted by Skarbo while Hegland was also introduced at half time in search of Norway's goal.
Norway finally got their breakthrough in the 56th minute. A mix up in defence by defender Servet Uzunlar and goalkeeper Barbieri allowed Thorsnes to pick up a loose ball before slotting the ball into an empty net.
The Westfield Matildas responded straight from the restart. De Vanna intercepted the ball near the corner before passing to Simon who side foot her shot to the far post for the equaliser.
The combination of De Vanna and Simon almost put Australia ahead in the 70th minute. De Vanna once again intercepted the ball from a Norway's defender before passing the ball to Simon and with only the goalkeeper to beat, Simon shot wide.
With 10 minutes left on the clock, Westfield Matildas coach Tom Sermanni made a defensive substitution by taking Sam Kerr off and giving Laura Alleway her World Cup debut. The substitute committed a foul just outside the penalty box with her first touch which almost resulted in a goal but Ronning's free kick came off the woodwork.
Alleway made amends for her earlier mistake by playing a part in Australia's second goal in the 87th minute. Heather Garriock's corner from the left was overhit but Alleway managed to keep the ball in play before passing the ball to Kim Carroll. Carroll's first time cross was perfectly met by Simon to put the ball into the net and send Australia through to the quarter finals of the competition.
Coach Tom Sermanni made one final change just before the final whistle. Ellyse Perry came on for Caitlin Foord for her World Cup debut and to become the first Australian to play in the World Cup for two different sports.
Speaking after the match, Coach Tom Sermanni made some adjustments at half time but was pleased and proud of the team's overall performance.
"We rearrange the formation slightly to give more balance in midfield and the game open up a bit as well. We gave a goal away and had to fight back to win the game so that was very pleasing."
"There was a lot of courage and commitment and we knew it was going to be very difficult. Norway have a normally robust style of play, very effective and it upsets the rhythm that we normally have. I am very proud of the players."