Sayer, Van Egmond & Heyman deliver in CommBank Matildas emphatic Canberra win

The CommBank Matildas defeated Argentina 4-1 in front of a sold-out Canberra crowd to mark the final game of Interim Head Coach Tom Sermanni’s third tenure.

Amy Sayer scored a brace while Emily van Egmond and hometown hero Michelle Heyman's second-half goals put the result beyond doubt.

Central Coast Mariners championship-winning midfielder Isabel Gomez became CommBank Matilda #238 when she was introduced in the second half.

There were six changes from the lineup that defeated the same opposition 2-0 on Friday evening. UEFA Women’s Champions League winners Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross came into the side after being rested on Friday evening.

Courtney Nevin and Natasha Prior joined them, while Amy Sayer made her first start for the national team in 549 days after recovering from her ACL injury.

Sayer came close to opening the scoring within minutes. She met the ball at the back post after a cross in from Charli Grant, but her effort was skied.

She wouldn’t be denied ten minutes later. Kahli Johnson did well to reel in a ball that looked destined to go out of play on the right flank. Her cross evaded an onrushing Caitlin Foord in the middle, only to find Sayer unmarked at the back post. She finished well, striking across the goalkeeper to score her second goal for the CommBank Matildas.

Argentina didn’t take long to work their way back into the game. In the 23rd minute, a ball from Milagros Martin pierced Australia’s defense. Kishi Nunez was there to capitalize and the 19-year-old finished well past Micah in goal to equalize for the visitors.

Australia were forced into a substitution midway through the first half. Kahli Johnson, who scored on Friday on debut, pulled up with a leg injury and was unable to return. She was replaced by Holly McNamara in the 34th minute.

Australia regained the lead before the half-time break. Caitlin Foord played a wonderful ball in behind Argentina’s defense that found the run of Sayer. The 23-year-old made no mistake and completed her first brace for the senior national team.

The CommBank Matildas remained busy in the second half. Sayer had a golden opportunity to complete her hat-trick but saw her effort saved. McNamara was a constant threat as well, but was unable to fashion a real clear-cut chance for herself.

Foord came very close to putting a ribbon on a fantastic performance with a goal in the 61st minute, but her shot at the back post went just wide.

Tom Sermanni chose a double substitution to help retain the forward momentum of the second half. Alanna Kennedy replaced Natasha Prior, and hometown hero Michelle Heyman replaced Amy Sayer.

Heyman had an immediate impact. She came close to scoring five minutes after entering play, but her close-range strike was saved. However, her industry in the 72nd minute led to the CommBank Matilda's third.

An under-hit back-pass from Argentina was intercepted well by Heyman. Her shot was parried away, but Emily van Egmond was there on the follow-up to tuck it away and extend Australia’s lead.

In the 77th minute, 2025 A-League Women’s Champion Isabel Gomez came in for her debut. Kaitlyn Torpey and Jamilla Rankin also entered the play. Courtney Nevin, Charli Grant and Emily van Egmond were withdrawn as a result.

Michelle Heyman finally got her goal in front of her home fans in the 83rd minute. She was able to capitalize after another defensive error and scored a poacher’s goal to make it four for Australia, and put the result beyond doubt.

The game was another successful hit-out ahead of the AFC Asian Cup 2026™. Attention now turns to the next international window, with games against Slovenia and Panama.

Match Summary

Australia: 4 (Sayer 14’, 36’, van Egmond 72’, Heyman 83’)

Argentina: 1 (Nunez 23’)

Australia: 12. Teagan Micah (GK), 2. Courtney Nevin (27. Jamilla Rankin 77’), 5. Natasha Prior (14. Alanna Kennedy 62’), 6. Clare Wheeler, 7. Steph Catley, 9. Caitlin Foord, 10. Emily van Egmond (26. Isabel Gomez 77’), 17. Amy Sayer (32. Michelle Heyman 62’), 22. Charlotte Grant (8. Kaitlyn Torpey 77’), 23. Kyra Cooney-Cross, 25. Kahli Johnson (15. Holly McNamara 34’)

Unused substitutes: 3. Winonah Heatley, 4. Clare Hunt, 24. Leah Davidson, 29. Bryleeh Henry, 18. Jada Whyman (GK), 28. Morgan Aquino (GK),

Argentina: 1. Solana Pereyra (GK), 5. Vanina Preininger (18. Margarita Giminez 89’), 6. Aldana Cometti, 7. Romina Nunez, 9. Kishi Nunez (8. Augustina Vargas 84’), 10. Maricel Pereyra, 11. Yamila Rodriguez (2. Milagros Vargas 71’), 13. Sophia Braun, 14. Milagros Martin (3. Eliana Stabile 84’), 15. Maria Florencia Bonsegundo, 16. Evelyn Sofia Dominguez (19. Paulina Gramaglia 71’)

Unused substitutes: 4. Catalina Roggerone 17. Maria Francisca Altgelt, 20. Virginia Gomez, 12. Abigail Chaves (GK)

COMMBANK MATILDAS | WA SERIES ONE | MATCH SCHEDULE

CommBank Matildas v Slovenia
Date: Thursday, 26 June 2025
Kick-off: 7.00pm WST / 9.00pm AEST
Venue: HBF Park, Perth
TV Broadcast: Network 10, 10 Play and Paramount+
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: Buy Tickets

CommBank Matildas v Slovenia
Date: Sunday, 29 June 2025
Kick-off: 6.00pm WST / 8.00pm AEST
Venue: HBF Park, Perth
TV Broadcast: Paramount+ exclusive
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: Buy Tickets