Australia face anxious wait as Sam Kerr's World Cup hopes hang in the balance

Australia fell to a disappointing 3-2 loss against Nigeria and must beat Canada in their final group game if they're to keep their World Cup ambitions alive

An expanded Women's World Cup on home soil, a strike force to be reckoned with and a growing pedigree in the women's game - this summer's tournament was shaping up to be one of the Matildas' greatest chances of ever winning the major tournament.

Yet, after matchday two, their hopes of making it out of their group hang in the balance. They must beat Canada on Monday or the dream will come to a staggering, heart-breaking halt.

Everything appeared to be going in the right direction on matchday one. It was a slog, but their opening day victory over the Republic of Ireland, secured by a Steph Catley penalty, ensured Kerr's absence wasn't too sorely felt.

But then came Nigeria.

The Super Falcons secured a shock draw against Olympic Champions Canada last week, despite having a player sent off deep into stoppage time. Regardless, Australia were still favourites for the clash between the two sides and they showed why just before half time as Emily van Egmond fired the Matildas in front in Brisbane.

Nigeria, though, refused to go down without a fight and forced their way back on level terms moments before the half-time whistle. After the break, Randy Waldrum's side came out battling and goals from Osinachi Ohale and Barcelona's Asisat Oshoala put Nigeria 3-1 up with 18 minutes of normal time left to play.

Oh, how Australia missed their star forward.

Alanna Kennedy managed to pull one back for her side deep into stoppage time, but it was too little, too late as the final whistle blew shortly after. Nigeria became the first African nation to win a game at this summer's tournament and they have put themselves firmly in control of group B - level on four points with Canada.

For Australia, their hopes now sit on a knife edge. They desperately need to beat Canada if they're to at least qualify second in the group, but if Thursday's match-up against the Super Falcons is anything to go by, they're in desperate need of inspiration that it feels only Kerr can provide.

The Chelsea striker sustained a calf injury in training the day before the tournament got underway last week. A monumental blow given her significance to the team, but Australia were backed to survive in her absence.

It's not just the volume of goals Kerr scores for both club and country, but her ability to step up and make a difference in the most pressurised of moments makes her an invaluable asset to this Australia team. A potential return on Monday could be the remedy Tony Gustavsson's side desperately needs.

If she's absent again and the co-hosts crash out at the group stages, it would be without one of the world's best players even kicking a ball. A blow for the Matildas and a blow for football.

When asked about Kerr's fitness after the Nigeria defeat, it was a concerning update from the Australia boss. "All I can say now is that I hope so," Gustavsson told reporters.

"I know it's going to be tight. I said in a press conference yesterday… I most likely will not get the confirmation on that until the night before the game (Sunday 30th). And then we'll go from there.

"It might even be (the case) where we need to test her to see if she can play on game day. That's how tight it is, I know that, I can say already now so everyone knows what it's like.

"I know we're going to get questions from now all the way to the game, but I can say already now I'm not going to be able to tell you that until either the night before the game or on game day because that's how long we'll have to wait to see if she's available or not."

Australia will now gear up for arguably the biggest game in their history in Melbourne on Monday. It will be a monumental task against a team ranked three places above them in the FIFA standings.

But the potential return of their star player will no doubt lift the spirits of not just the team, but the entire nation roaring on the Matildas.