Ellie Carpenter became the 18th player to reach 100 appearances for the CommBank Matildas in Newcastle on Saturday, when she took the pitch against Mexico to start the two-game international window.
The 26-year-old fullback is one of the youngest ever to achieve the feat.
Let’s take a look down memory lane at her journey to 100 caps below.
The Girl from Cowra
Carpenter was born on April 28, 2000, in the regional NSW town of Cowra. She moved to Sydney as a 12-year-old to attend Westfield Sports High after spending much of her childhood racking up the miles to play football in Canberra and Sydney.
As a 15-year-old, she was signed by the Western Sydney Wanderers in the inaugural season of the A-League Women. Her potential was immediately obvious. She received her first Matildas call-up in November 2015 before debuting in March 2016 against Vietnam.
The debut made her the first player born in the 2000s to represent Australia. In post-game media, the youngster was unfazed.
“It was an amazing experience,” she reflected after the game.
“The speed of play and the movement at this level is a bit different, but I feel like I’ve adapted pretty well so far.”
Then-Head Coach Alen Stajcic agreed, selecting her for Rio 2016™ where she became the youngest-ever female footballer to compete at the Olympics.
World Cup Debut
Carpenter established herself as a key member of the squad after Rio and was first-choice right-back at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019™.
The then-19-year-old was playing her club football for Canberra United and the Portland Thorns in the NWSL. When she debuted for the Thorns on 9 May 2018, she became the youngest player in NWSL history, and headed into the World Cup with ample amounts of confidence.
She started all four of the team’s games at the tournament as they fell on penalties to Norway in the Round of 16.
Champions League Winner
In June 2020, Carpenter signed for European giants Lyon. Lyon are eight-time UEFA Women’s Champions League winners and at the time of her signing had won four in a row. She was an unused substitute in August that year when they claimed their fifth consecutive trophy.
By 2022, she had well and truly established herself as a member of the first team. She started the final against Barcelona, which Lyon won 3-1 to claim her second UWCL medal with the club.
It was in this game, however, that a race against the clock began. Carpenter was forced to be substituted off after 20 minutes due to a knee injury that scans later revealed was a torn ACL. With only 12 months until a home World Cup, the hard work began for Carpenter to be fit and firing in time for one of the biggest tournaments of her life.
“After my surgery, I just went really hard into rehab. I don’t think I’ve ever worked so hard in my life,” she said.
She later revealed that the time out of the game was a “blessing in disguise.”
“I think this injury is the best thing that could’ve happened to me. I needed this time and this break,” she explained.
“I’ve learned so much about myself and my body, and I’ve also learned how to say no to people when I need to rest or if I’m sore… I’m thinking more about my body and my longevity in the game. It’s a 24-hour job, you’re a 24-hour athlete. You can’t take shortcuts.”
FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™
Ellie Carpenter was one of the biggest faces of the team that made an extraordinary run to the semi-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™.
She played every minute of the tournament as part of the team that changed football in this country forever.
“When I was growing up, I was with a boys’ team. I didn’t have a girls’ team,” she said during the tournament, when reflecting on the impact on the game.
“I went and watched the Matildas play when I was 12 years old, and I think there were 300 people in the stadium. But I still wanted to play for Australia, I was still dreaming of playing on that pitch with the girls with 300 people in the stands.
“How far we’ve come is just unimaginable. I’m so proud to be a part of this generation, that what we’ve done has changed women’s sport in Australia, not just football, but generally in sport.”
The AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026™
Carpenter was once again a key part of the Matildas' side, who made it all the way to the final in front of home fans at the Asian Cup, starting all six games. She was on the pitch for all but 20 minutes of the tournament.
While the team ultimately fell just short, she has said she was proud of their efforts during the campaign.
“It’s so special to play for your country, and you just get another level of energy playing for Australia, especially in front of the fans,” she said ahead of the semi-final against China PR.
“For me, it’s about the joy of playing for my country. I never take a game for granted. So, when I get the opportunity, I always give my all.”
Chelsea, and the future
At the beginning of the 2025/26 season, Carpenter left Lyon for pastures new, joining Chelsea in the WSL. She left as a five-time Division 1 Feminine winner, a two-time Coupe de France winner, and a two-time UWCL winner.
She has already made a positive impact on Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea. Playing in an attacking right wing-back role, she scored twice and made two assists this season in the WSL as the Blues finished third on the table.
In an interview with Chelsea in January, she said that she still has “so much left to give.”
“I’m only going to get stronger for the rest of the season and seasons to come. I want to keep improving to become an even better footballer,” she said.
At only 26 years of age, there is little reason to doubt what she can achieve.
COMMBANK MATILDAS | JUNE 2026 | MATCH SCHEDULE
CommBank Matildas v Mexico
Date: Saturday, 6 June 2026
Kick-off: 7.15pm AEST
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
TV Broadcast: Network 10, Paramount+
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CommBank Matildas v Mexico
Date: Tuesday, 9 June 2026
Kick-off: 7.00pm AEST
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
TV Broadcast: Paramount+ exclusive
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