The Matildas secured an historic first-ever win at the women's soccer World Cup, a crushing 4-1 defeat of Ghana in their opening group match in China.

Halftime substitute Lisa De Vanna scored twice, with fellow striker Sarah Walsh and industrious midfielder Heather Garriock netting the Matildas' other goals in the group C match in Hangzhou.

It was Australia's first win in 10 matches at the finals spread over four tournaments and 12 years.

Veteran midfielder Joanne Peters was stretchered off in the second half, but Australia continued to carve out chances in a very open game.

Walsh missed a few early opportunities before lashing the ball home in the 15th minute.

She set up De Vanna 12 minutes into the second half and Garriock headed home the third goal in the 69th minute.

Teenage striker Anita Amankwa pulled one back within a minute of Garriock's goal and it required smart work from the alert Australian goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri to deny her a second.

De Vanna, who replaced Caitlin Munoz at the break, scored her second ten minutes from the end and came close to getting a hat-trick.

Midfielders Peters, Collette McCallum and Garriock put Ghana under pressure with some incisive passing but Ghana also created the odd flutter in the Australian defence.

In the first half, Florence Okoe was right through, but fired wide and had a strong shot saved by Barbieri.

Amankwa missed one attempt after Barbieri was drawn off her line and the goalkeeper whipped the ball of her toe to snuff out another dangerous attack.

Australia seemed to have a decent claim for a penalty dismissed as Aminatu Ibrahim appeared to foul Munoz, who miskicked close to goal a few minutes later and was replaced at halftime by De Vanna.

Australia plays their next match on Saturday against Norway.

"I would have taken any sort of win, but to score four goals was an extra bonus for us and maybe we should have scored a few more," Matildas coach Tom Sermanni said.

"As the game went on and they started to push forward we created four or five one-on ones and it would have been nice to finish a few of them off, but I'll take the result and the performance.

"As well as creating chances, I thought we defended very well.

"I thought our midfield was terrific. They did a lot of chasing tonight and some of Collette McCallum's passing was out of this world.

"All the midfield played really well, I don't think we had any real glaring weaknesses in the team."

Peters, who won her 107th cap tonight, was having a knee injury checked out after having been troubled by a problem in that area in the lead up to the tournament.

"We're not quite sure if it was a just a knock or how serious it is," Sermanni said.

"It was a fairly bruising competitive game and we took a few knocks, but hopefully it won't be too serious."

Walsh, skipper Cheryl Salisbury and fellow defender Kate McShea were all booked.

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