Sam Kerr celebrates her insurance goal. (Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports)

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. — Australia blanked Asian rival Japan, 2-0, in the final game for both teams at the Tournament of Nations at Toyota Stadium Thursday night.

The Matildas (seven points) finished the tournament at 2-0-1 with a chance to win the competition, depending on the U.S’s (1-0-1, 4) encounter against Brazil (1-1-0, 3) in the second game of the doubleheader.

Australia gained a measure of revenge of a 2-0 loss to the Japanese during Asian Women’s World Cup qualifying Aug. 31, 2017. Japan booked a spot in France 2019 that day. The Aussies eventually qualified for the tournament.

Japan finished in last place at the Tournament of Nations at 0-3-0.

Alanna Kennedy lifted the Aussies into a 1-0 lead via a free kick in the 45th minute before Chicago Red Stars striker Sam Kerr, who calls Toyota Stadium home, doubled the lead later in the half.

More details coming.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.