Westfield Matildas fall to Portugal at Algarve Cup

The Westfield Matildas have finished fourth at the Algarve Cup, going down 2-1 to hosts Portugal in the bronze medal match.

Coach Alen Stajcic made seven changes to his starting eleven, handing starts to midfielder Alex Chidiac and right-back Hannah Brewer.

Sam Kerr began the game on the bench with Michelle Heyman leading the line.

The home side took the lead late in the first half before Caitlin Cooper squared the ledger in first half injury time.

But the hosts – ranked 38^th in the world – went ahead ten minutes into the second spell and held on for one of their most impressive victories.

Emily van Egmond had the chance to draw Australia level from the penalty spot late in the game, but saw her spot-kick pushed aside by the Portuguese goalkeeper.

GOALS

Nadia Gomes Portugal 1-0, 38’

The Portuguese attacker latched on to an under-hit back-pass to open the scoring.

Caitlin Cooper Australia 1-1, 45+2’

Cooper headed home a right-wing free-kick from close range to square things up at the break.

Vanessa Marques Portugal 2-1 56’

Marques scored the game’s winning goal with a delightful first-time strike from just outside the penalty arc.