Match Report
The CommBank Matildas have ended their SheBelieves Cup campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Colombia.
Hayley Raso equalised in the second half for Australia after Wendy Bonilla's early goal, before a deflection saw Catalina Usme's strike loop into the back of the net and win the game for Colombia.
There were five changes to the side that took on the United States last week. Michelle Heyman started up top after scoring the team’s first goal of the tournament, while Clare Hunt, Katrina Gorry, Emily van Egmond and Tameka Yallop came into the side.
The changes meant that Winonah Heatley, Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Holly McNamara and Alanna Kennedy started on the bench.
Colombia began the game brightly, coming close to scoring in the first minute of the game. They continued the pressure when Leicy Santos forced Teagan Micah into a fantastic save in the seventh minute.
The South American side would find the breakthrough eight minutes later. The ball found Wendy Bonilla in the penalty area after a flowing team move and her finish was near perfect, hitting the inside of the post on its way into the back of the net.
Despite trailing, Australia were the team creating the majority of dangerous attacking opportunities in the first half. The press proved effective on several occasions with Michelle Heyman and Kyra Cooney-Cross both coming close after the ball was won in Colombia’s back third.
Heyman almost got on the end of a Steph Catley corner in the 43rd minute, but the ball flew agonisingly wide after Clare Hunt’s initial header.
Kaitlyn Torpey entered the field of play late in the first half after Ellie Carpenter was withdrawn as a precaution. The San Diego Wave wing-back received a warm round of applause at her club’s home stadium.
