Twice they had to come from behind to level the scores and secure their first ever place in the quarter finals of the competition.

But a goal from Australia captain Cheryl Salisbury two minutes into added time sent the Matildas into the China 2007 quarter-finals at the expense of a Canada side who were just moments from progressing.

Needing victory to climb above Australia in the Group C standings, Canada must have thought they had done enough when captain Christine Sinclair headed them 2-1 in front with just five minutes remaining.

Yet Salisbury's late, late strike sent Australia through in second place behind Norway - and the North Americans heading, cruelly, for home.

After waiting 24 hours to get their postponed fixture under way, Canada started with a bang.

Melissa Tancredi latched onto a tantalising cross from the right and looped her shot over the stranded Melissa Barbieri with only 32 seconds gone.

The early scorer had another chance a few minutes later, but could only volley Christine Sinclair's service over the bar.

After the Canucks' explosive start to the match, Australia finished the first half with a flurry.

In the space of two minutes near the interval, livewire forward Sarah Walsh forced goalkeeper Erin McLeod into a fingertip save before an almighty scramble ensued in the Canadian penalty area in which no fewer than three Australians saw close-range shots either blocked or saved or pushed wide of goal.

Australia got the equaliser they had threatened eight minutes after the restart when Colette McCallum slammed a left-footed free kick past McLeod.

Yet needing to win, Canada came back at them. Jodi-Ann Robinson, on for the injured Tancredi, headed against the upright moments after taking the field and despite losing goalkeeper McLeod to injury, they kept pushing.

Their perseverance appeared rewarded when, almost predictably, captain and top scorer Sinclair turned up at the back post to nod home following a corner on 85 minutes.

The drama not over yet, however, as rival captain Salisbury pulled a smash-and-grab job two minutes into stoppage time to poke home from close range and send the Matildas into fits of celebration.

Norway's 7-2 thrashing of Ghana ensured the Scandinavians took first place in the Australians' group.

But the second-placed Matildas move on to the last eight, where they will meet either Brazil, Denmark or hosts China, while Canada will curse their fortune as they head for home.