Match Report
The CommBank Matildas have defeated Wales 2-1 in the first-ever meeting between the two nations.
Courtney Nevin scored her first-ever international goal in the first half before Caitlin Foord completed a standout performance by scoring the winner in the second.
Head Coach Joe Montemurro named a starting eleven with a mix of experience and up-and-coming talent, headlined by Sam Kerr’s first start in national team colours in 725 days.
Hayley Raso took the captain’s armband in her 100th appearance for Australia. She is the 17th player to reach the prestigious milestone in CommBank Matildas history.
Electric forward Cortnee Vine appeared in the green and gold for the first time since the Paris Olympics when she was introduced late in the second half.
Steph Catley was not named in the starting side after she was a late arrival in camp.
Australia started on the front foot. Caitlin Foord in particular was a constant threat to the Welsh defence, starting on the left but drifting central and to the right-hand side to find different angles to goal.
The first major chance of the game came off the back of good work from Foord. She released Katrina Gorry after finding space on the left. Gorry’s shot from just outside the penalty area was not far away from the target, rattling the crossbar on its way over the frame of the goal.
The CommBank Matildas found their breakthrough in the 27th minute. It was Foord again who won a free kick just outside the penalty area. Courtney Nevin aimed for the front post with the set piece delivery, and the ball snuck in for her first international goal.
