WATCH: CommBank Matildas defeat Wales 2-1 as Kerr returns to starting side

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.

Sam Kerr was heavily involved in the goal as well, coming inches away from getting a touch from the free kick that would have seen her score her first goal since returning to the national team – but she made it clear while celebrating that she believed the credit should go to Nevin.

Wales certainly had their chances, particularly in transition. As expected, retiring legend Jess Fishlock was seemingly everywhere and ready to pounce on any opportunity.

Australia’s defence remained firm, however, and the teams headed into the sheds for half-time with the CommBank Matildas holding the slight advantage.

The home side came out of the blocks hard, looking for the equaliser in the second half. They found it in the 55th minute. After some confusion at the back, the ball fell to 18-year-old Mared Griffiths, who lifted the ball over Teagan Micah to score her first international goal and level the match.

A triple change came for Australia ten minutes later as they hoped to regain their lead. Holly McNamara, Amy Sayer, and Ellie Carpenter entered the field of play to replace Sam Kerr, Kaitlyn Torpey and Hayley Raso.

The changes almost worked soon after. One of the substitutes, Amy Sayer, played a wonderful ball through for Foord. Foord rounded the keeper, but her touch took her to the byline, and the resulting Australian shot was deflected behind.

The resulting corner by Kyra Cooney-Cross found Sayer at the back post, but she wasn’t able to keep her volley down.

Foord would finally get her goal with five minutes of regulation time remaining. After good work from Holly McNamara to get out of trouble, Ellie Carpenter played it into Cooney-Cross.

Cooney-Cross played a pinpoint cutback to the waiting Foord, who made no mistake from right in front of goal to restore Australia's advantage.

The Arsenal teammates combined again minutes later. Cooney-Cross found Foord with a delightful through ball, only for a fantastic save by the Welsh keeper Middleton-Patel to deny Foord her second.

Cortnee Vine made her return to the pitch alongside Michelle Heyman as the clock ticked into seven minutes of stoppage time, replacing Cooney-Cross and Foord, respectively.

Vine looked lively, as did McNamara, whose shot from outside the penalty area was saved by Middleton-Patel deep in stoppage time.

Australia were able to hold onto their lead and start the October international window with the win. Attention now turns to the European champions, England, who they will face on Wednesday morning (AEDT).

Match Summary

Australia: 2 (Courtney Nevin 27', Caitlin Foord 85')
Wales: 1 (Mared Griffiths 55')

Australia: 12. Teagan Micah (GK), 2. Courtney Nevin, 3. Winonah Heatley, 4. Clare Hunt, 6. Clare Wheeler, 8. Kaitlyn Torpey (21. Ellie Carpenter 65’), 9. Caitlin Foord (32. Michelle Heyman 90'), 16. Hayley Raso © (17. Amy Sayer, 65’), 19. Katrina Gorry (14. Alanna Kennedy 75’), 20. Sam Kerr (25. Holly McNamara 65’), 23. Kyra Cooney-Cross (5. Cortnee Vine 90')

Unused substitutes: 1. Mackenzie Arnold (GK), 18. Morgan Aquino (GK), 7. Steph Catley, 22. Charlotte Grant, 26. Remy Siemsen, 27. Jamilla Rankin