Co-hosts Australia and England recorded contrasting victories to reach the quarter finals of the Women’s World Cup on Monday.

While Australia earned a straightforward 2-0 win over Denmark in their last-16 clash, England had to toil hard to overcome Nigeria in a penalty shootout.

It was a good day for Australia, who welcomed captain Sam Kerr to the fray for the first time in the tournament. Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso scored the goals on either side of half-time before Kerr, who has been absent with a calf injury, came on as a 78th-minute substitute to a huge roar from the crowd of 75,784 in Sydney.

England, on the other hand, earned the hard-fought win following a 0-0 draw over 120 nerve-jangling minutes, with Chloe Kelly scoring the decisive spot-kick.

Beth England, Rachel Daly and Alex Greenwood also converted in a 4-2 shootout win for the European champions, who had a player sent off in regulation time. England’s Mary Earps was named player of the match.

With inputs from Reuters