WATCH: CommBank Matildas defeated 2-1 by Colombia in final match of SheBelieves Cup
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Kaitlyn Torpey entered the field of play late in the first half after Ellie Carpenter was withdrawn as a precaution.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.
Half-time saw two further substitutions by Interim Head Coach Tom Sermanni. Natasha Prior and Caitlin Foord came on, replacing Steph Catley and Michelle Heyman.
There were chances for both teams early in what was a stop-start second half, with the CommBank Matildas on the front foot, searching for the equaliser.
Mary Fowler was introduced off the substitutes bench in the 66th minute in place of Tameka Yallop, and made an immediate impact.
Fowler’s ball found Grant in space on Australia’s left flank. Grant put in a pinpoint cross in the penalty area where Hayley Raso was waiting. Raso’s first touch was fantastic, allowing her to take it around Colombia’s defence and finish well to make it 1-1.
However, Colombia would regain the lead minutes later. Catalina Usme tried her luck from outside the penalty area and a cruel deflection saw it loop into the back of the net.
Alana Murphy was called upon to make her second CommBank Matildas appearance in the 82nd minute as Australia faced the task of equalising once more in the face of another stop-start period of play. She replaced Kyra Cooney-Cross in midfield.
Despite Australia throwing everything at the defence, they were unable to find the second equaliser. Attention now turns to a home series against the Republic of Korea in April.
COMMBANK MATILDAS | MARCH/APRIL 2025 INTERNATIONALS
CommBank Matildas v Korea Republic
Date: Friday, 4 April 2025
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEDT
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
Tickets: matildas.com.au/tickets
CommBank Matildas v Korea Republic
Date: Monday, 7 April 2025
Kick-off: 7:30pm AEST
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Broadcast: Paramount+ exclusive
Tickets: matildas.com.au/tickets