The Sam Kerr question left Ian Wright dumbstruck

Former England footballer Ian Wright had nothing but praise for the Matildas after their 2-0 win over Denmark - but one question about the team's biggest star left him scratching his head.

The Matildas are one step closer to a history-making triumph after they cemented a World Cup quarter-final berth by cruising past the Danes on Monday night at Stadium Australia in Sydney.

Wright, who was at the opening of the Sam Kerr x EA SPORTS FC Futures Football Pitch in Lidcombe on Tuesday morning, was very impressed with the Aussies.

'It's amazing,' said the Arsenal legend. 'I think they've been brilliant - and long may it continue for them... unless they get England.'

Sam Kerr made her first appearance of the tournament against the Scandinavians , entering the field to thunderous applause towards the end of the match.

Wright was happy with the few minutes he saw of the Australian captain in action, and explained how difficult calf injuries can be to get right - pointing out they can be even more troublesome than notoriously tricky hamstring complaints.

One reporter asked Wright if there was a chance that Kerr's introduction back into the team could now disrupt things, which left the Englishman dumbstruck.

'Are you serious? Are you serious?' said Wright.

'We are talking about arguably the nest No.9 in the world. It doesn't matter, with all due respect, whoever is playing up front.

'If Sam Kerr is fit, she plays. And if I was the manager, she plays.

'They've done brilliantly to get themselves in this situation because they know at some stage Sam Kerr is going to be fit and she's going to come into this team.

'This team knows that. This team wants that because they know if it gets to a stage where it's on the line, she's going to deliver.

'I can't get into the realms of that question.'

During the second half of Australia's 4-0 thumping of Canada, Wright tweeted: 'Cooney-Cross bro'.

On Monday he expanded on what he thought of the Matildas midfielder.

'She can go as far as she wants,' said Wright.

'Even the other day we saw a list of teams that want her. Obviously Arsenal want her - Juventus... all the teams.

'Her ability, her awareness, her passing. She's the next one off the block in respect to world-class players.'

Australia will next play the winner of France v Morocco in Brisbane on Saturday, and Wright believes the Matildas should now be considered among the favourites to lift the World Cup trophy.

'I don't know what more to say about the capabilities of the Australian side,' said Wright.

'And now that Sam Kerr's back, you have to say that the way they are playing, with the crowd behind them - 75,000 again last night - you have to say that they are one of the favourites to win the tournament.'