GROUP C

While Australia appear a team on the rise, Brazil seem to be heading in the other direction

Until January’s messy shock sacking of Alen Stajcic, Australia were the hottest of dark horses, a solid team in decent form. And after three successive quarterfinals many felt the Matildas could reach the final four, and maybe tilt for the stars.

Then Stajcic, who had overseen steady progress in his five years, was