The Matildas are through to the FIFA Women's World Cup quarterfinals after a solid 2-0 victory over Denmark that saw Sam Kerr return to playing action for the first time this tournament.

Meanwhile, there was drama in Brisbane as England survived having their best player sent off and a spirited Nigeria side to prevail in a dramatic penalty shoot out.

Here are the five key talking points from Monday's action.

1. Sam Kerr a sub again

Battling a calf injury, Sam Kerr missed the first two games of Australia's home World Cup and sat on the bench as a 'break glass in case of emergency' substitute for the third.

Fortunately for the Matildas, she wasn't needed in the 4-0 rout of Canada that saw them top Group B and, proving how far from fit she would have been if required to play a week ago, Kerr was once again named on the bench for the round of 16.

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson made no changes from the team that took down the Olympic champions, and fair enough too, although if his captain was approaching full fitness you'd have to think he'd have her starting.

Kerr eventually did return to action, coming on in the 80th minute of the match.

She almost had another moment to savour as well, when bursting through on goal only to blaze over in the 87th minute.

2. Hayley Raso ripples the net again

With Sam Kerr out of action, the Matildas thought that goals would potentially be hard to come by.

It turns out, they needn't have worried.

When Hayley Raso sealed Australia's victory over Denmark with a powerful driven effort with 20 minutes to go, it was her third goal in the last two games, after her double against Canada.

Raso, who recently signed with European giants Real Madrid, had never scored in a Women's World Cup before that final group match, which might come as a surprise given this is her third World Cup.

Of course, the Matildas are not just all about Sam Kerr and the fact the team has now netted nine goals in four matches, finding the back of the net has not been a big issue, especially now she has got some game time back under her belt.

But Raso's goals have certainly helped.

3. Who will the Matildas play next?

Victory in Sydney means the Matildas will head back to Brisbane on Saturday for a crunch quarterfinal.