The Canadian national team, holder of the Tokyo Olympics gold medal, bid farewell to the Women's World Cup competition from the group stage, suffering a harsh defeat against the host Australia with a clean score of four goals in Melbourne.

The Nigerian team benefited from the Canadian loss, securing the second qualifying spot behind the leading Australia to the Round of 16, after drawing with Ireland in a goalless match.

Australia topped Group B with six points, followed by Nigeria in second place (5) and Canada in third (4), while Ireland finished last in the group with only one point.

Hayley Raso delivered a remarkable performance for the Australian team, scoring two goals, contributing to the elimination of the Canadian team in one of the biggest surprises of the tournament.

The Australian team entered the match with their backs against the wall, after a difficult loss to Nigeria 2-3 in the previous round.

Australia's goals were scored by Raso (9 and 39), Mary Fowler (58), and Stevie Catley (90+4 from a penalty kick).

Australia will play in the Round of 16 against the second team in Group D, which is likely to be Denmark or China.

In the second match, Nigeria managed to snatch the second spot after a goalless draw with Ireland in Brisbane. Nigeria had also qualified for the second round in the previous edition in France.

Nigeria will play against the winner of Group D, currently led by England with six points.

In Group C, Japan achieved a crushing victory over Spain 4-0 in Wellington to top their group.

In the Round of 16, Japan, the 2011 champion, will face Norway, and Spain will play against Switzerland. Both Spain and Japan entered the match after having already secured their qualification to the second round from the previous stage, with the battle between them limited to the top spot in Group C, noting that just one point would have sufficed for the Spanish team to take the lead.

Japan's goals were scored by Hinata Miyazawa (12 and 44), Yuki (29), and Tanaka (82).

Both teams previously won against the underdog teams Zambia and Costa Rica to ensure their qualification to the knockout stages.

On the other hand, Zambia achieved a morale-boosting victory over Costa Rica 3-1 within the same group.