Melbourne: Australia thrashed Canada to advance to the last-16 stage, keeping their Women's World Cup dream alive.

The co-hosts performed well in a match they needed to win to avoid elimination, with Hayley Raso scoring twice, Mary Fowler also finding the back of the net, and Steph Catley converting a late penalty.

The Matildas won Group B, and they did it without Sam Kerr, who was an unused substitute despite claiming to be healthy.

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Canada exited the Women's World Cup group stage for the first time since 2011.

Australia will now advance to play the Group D runner-up, who may still be England, at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 7. Nigeria and the Republic of Ireland drew, so Australia will now play the winner.

For Australia, this game had one of the riskiest lead-ups to a World Cup match. The threat of a humiliating early exit and the prevailing doubts about Kerr's fitness did not make for the best environment for preparation.

After missing the first two games due to a calf injury, captain Kerr was named to the bench but did not participate in warm-ups. Instead, she watched the passing drills while chewing gum and donning her bulky coat.

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The 11 Australian women on the field would ultimately determine whether they could survive this test, and they were up to the task.

They were far quicker and more dynamic than Canada from the start, buoyed by a boisterous, nearly full stadium in Melbourne.

When Catley's low cross found Raso in the area, she controlled the situation before firing into the bottom corner, increasing the commotion from the stands.

Following a goalmouth scramble, Fowler appeared to have doubled the lead, but Ellie Carpenter was ruled offside following a thorough video assistant referee review.

Just before halftime, Raso turned home after another scramble, leaving the crowd unsure of how to react. The only time Canada celebrated was after the game was restarted.

Australian knees-up was in full swing when Catley stroked home from the penalty spot after Jessie Fleming fouled Katrina Gorry just before the hour mark. The Australian knees-up officially started when Caitlin Foord cut back for Fowler to convert off the post from close range.

Australia now has the opportunity to give those supporters more reasons to rejoice during this World Cup. The hosts will continue to host their own party with or without Kerr.

There was always going to be one marquee name eliminated in the first round from the Group B lineup of excellent teams, whether it was the hosts Australia, Nigeria, a regular World Cup participant, or Olympic champions Canada.

In the end, it is the Canadians who give up because they are unable to duplicate the achievements of the United States in 1999 and 2015, when they simultaneously held the World Cup and Olympic titles.

It was a frustrating way to go out because Australia was still fired up. The best opportunity for the Canadians came in the second half, when Mackenzie Arnold's leg stopped Deanne Rose.

The 40-year-old forward Christine Sinclair was prevented from becoming the first player to score in six World Cups by their exit.

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