Rio 2016: Matildas crush Zimbabwe 6-1 to record first tournament win

Updated

The Matildas have qualified for the Rio knockout stages after thrashing Zimbabwe 6-1 in their final group game.

The Australians, who went into the match third in their four-team group, needed a win to give themselves a chance of snaring a spot in the quarter-finals.

Lisa De Vanna opened the scoring in the second minute, before Clare Polkinghorne and Alanna Kennedy added to the tally before the break.

A second-half Michelle Heyman brace and a Kyah Simon strike made it 6-0.

The Olympic tournament format consists of three groups of four teams, with the top two sides automatically progressing to the next stage.

The top two third-placed teams also progress.

Australia finished the group third on four points, with a goal difference of +3.

It meant they were guaranteed to go through to the next round, due to the standings in group G.

The Matildas started the tournament poorly, losing 2-0 to Canada before squandering a two-goal lead against Germany to draw 2-2.

Topics: sport, soccer, olympics-summer, brazil

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