The CommBank Matildas have defeated Mexico 3-1 in Sydney to conclude the two-match International Friendly series.
Alanna Kennedy scored to give Australia the lead before an own goal affected by Sam Kerr, and a milestone goal for Caitlin Foord, helped the Matildas to the win.
There were two changes to the squad that took on the same opponent in Newcastle on Saturday evening. Clare Wheeler and Hayley Raso were named in the starting eleven, replacing Emily van Egmond and Amy Sayer.
Caitlin Foord became the 37th player to captain the Matildas when she led the team out on her 150th appearance. She is the sixth player to play 150 times for Australia.
The team started strongly once again. While Mexico’s press did cause some issues once again, there was a clear attacking intent from Joe Montemurro’s side from the outset.
That mindset led to the opening goal. Mary Fowler received the ball from a short corner. She played it in for Clare Wheeler, whose deflected ball found Kerr. In the resulting chaos, Alanna Kennedy managed to find a pocket of space and, as she has done so well this year, turned and finished into the back of the net. It was her sixth goal of the calendar year.
It didn’t take long for Mexico to equalise, however. It was the goalscorer from Saturday, Diana Ordonez, who drew things level.
The game continued at a high tempo. Both teams were creating opportunities and turning the ball over in dangerous areas. Delgado had a chance for Mexico in the 31st minute but shot over the crossbar after intercepting a high.
Sam Kerr would be the one to regain Australia's advantage. Ellie Carpenter hustled well to win the ball after a foiled attacking move. She played an early ball central, finding the feet of Kerr. The striker hit the post, but it rebounded off the back of Mexico goalkeeper Esthefanny Berreras, and trickled in for an own goal.
Half-time saw one change for Australia with youngster Charlie Rule coming on for her eighth appearance in green and gold.
Momentum continued to swing both ways in the second half. Caitlin Foord came close to a milestone goal early in the half when she hit the side netting from a tight angle, while Mackenzie Arnold was forced into a great close-range save in the goals after a free kick from a dangerous area.
Foord would soon get that goal that she craved to double Australia's advantage. Kaitlyn Torpey made a great run from deep before playing it to the feet of her captain. Foord showed excellent strength to turn away from her defender and place the ball inside the far post for Australia's third of the night.
It is Foord's 41st international goal, during her level with Kate Gill as third in most goals scored in 'A' Internationals for the Matildas.
Several changes followed for Australia. Holly McNamara and Leticia McKenna replaced Sam Kerr and Hayley Raso in the 72nd minute. Later in the half, Remy Siemsen, Alana Murphy and Jamilla Rankin got some valuable game time, while Mary Fowler, Alanna Kennedy and Kaitlyn Torpey were given a rest.
It was a good win in the end for the CommBank Matildas, who learned their lessons from the first game in the window and now look ahead for the remainder of the FIFA World Cup 2027™ preparation cycle.
Match Summary
CommBank Matildas: 3 (Kennedy 22', OG 36', Foord 70')
Mexico: 1 (Ordonez 26')
CommBank Matildas: 1. Mackenzie Arnold (GK), 3. Winonah Heatley (24. Charlize Rule 45'), 6. Clare Wheeler, 7. Steph Catley, 8. Kaitlyn Torpey (5. Jamilla Rankin 87'), 9. Caitlin Foord (C), 11. Mary Fowler (26. Remy Siemsen 86'), 14. Alanna Kennedy (15. Alana Murphy 86'), 16. Hayley Raso (19. Leticia McKenna 72'), 20. Sam Kerr (25. Holly McNamara 72'), 21. Ellie Carpenter
Unused substitutes: 12. Chloe Lincoln (GK), 18. Ilona Melegh (GK), 2. Courtney Nevin, 10. Emily van Egmond, 13. Alex Chidiac, 17. Amy Sayer, 22. Isabel Gomez.
Yellow Cards: 24. Charlize Rule 64'
Mexico: 21. Esthefanny Barreras (GK), 4. Rebeca Bernal (C), 6. Reyna Reyes (2. Kenti Robles 72'), 8. Alexia Delgado (7. Fatima Servin 86'), 14. Greta Espinoza, 15. Jasmine Casarez (9. Charlyn Corral 72'), 16. Karla Nieto (10. Kiana Palacios 72'), 19. Montserrat Saldivar (11. Alice Soto 72'), 20. Nicolette Hernandez, 22. Diana Ordonez (7. Maria Sanchez 78'), 23. Kimberly Cubero
Unused substitutes: 1. Itzel Velasco (GK), 12. Bianca Felix (GK), 5. Nina Nicosia, 13. Karol Bernal, 18. Nancy Antonio, 24. Ivonne Gutierrez
Yellow Cards: 14. Greta Espinoza 48'