CommBank Matildas full-back Ellie Carpenter said that she played her best football when she felt "free" after scoring against New Zealand in front of a sold-out Gosford crowd on Friday evening.
Carpenter had an attacking role in the 5-0 victory, one she has been honing in clubland and under Head Coach Joe Montemurro at international level at her previous club, Olympique Lyonnaise.
“I’m really liking the attacking role that Joe’s given me," she said.
"It’s a free role. We’re inverted, and we’re wide, creating overloads. So I’m really enjoying playing for my team. I always love playing for my country with these girls.
“The role that I’ve been given is to defend first, but if we have overloads, to create space and to help the team score. I play the best when I play free. Lately I’ve been playing free. I’m proud of my performances recently, helping the team tonight in a dominant performance."
Despite being a stalwart with the CommBank Matildas for the better part of a decade, Carpenter is still only 25 years old. The Chelsea star said that she is continuing to grow her game exponentially.
“I’m trying to improve my game week-by-week," she said.
"I’m getting in the final third a lot more now and scoring some goals at club. Tonight was a great opportunity for me to get on the scoresheet. I’ve been working on my final product, so I’m really proud of that.
“I classify myself as a full-back, but a very attacking full-back. I’m adding that final bit to my game now, that final third, executing my chances, assisting and scoring. If I can do that for this team and help us win games, that’s the most important thing."
Scoring and playing in front of home fans is always that little bit extra special for Carpenter.
“I'm always proud to represent my country and to score is an amazing feeling, especially in front of this great crowd here in Gosford," she said.
"It was a massive team performance tonight, to really implement our style of play, and a great positive performance heading into the Asian Cup."
She hoped fans would respond to the positive performance and flock to the second game of the series in Adelaide on Tuesday evening, as well as showing their support at the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026™ in March.
“The atmosphere here was incredible," she said.
"It’s such an honour to play in Australia. I think we have the best fans in the world. Thank you to everyone who came out tonight. I can’t wait for Adelaide om Tuesday, and the Asian Cup next year."
COMMBANK MATILDAS | NEXT GAME
CommBank Matildas v New Zealand
Date: Tuesday, 2 December 2025
Kick-off: 8pm ACDT
Venue: Coopers Stadium, Adelaide
Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
Tickets: Buy Tickets
