The CommBank Matildas have been defeated 4-2 by World No.3 Germany in front of a 26,352-strong crowd in Karlsruhe.
Sam Kerr and Holly McNamara were on the scoresheet, but were not able to prevent defeat by a German side who remain undefeated in 2026.
Tori Tumeth became CommBank Matilda #244 late in the second half.
Head Coach Joe Montemurro made two changes to the side that took on Mexico at home back in June. Alanna Kennedy and Mary Fowler, unavailable for this window, were replaced by Emily van Egmond and Amy Sayer in midfield.
The high press of Germany was always going to be a challenge, and so it proved. The home side made life incredibly difficult for Australia on the ball and they were able to capitalise on turnovers in promising areas as a result.
They struck first as a result of that pressure. Carlotta Wamser put in a ball towards the back post. Franziska Kett was there to head it across the face of goal, and Melissa Kössler capitalised, tapping it in for her first international goal.
Kössler had her second in the 30th minute. Clever movement meant that she found space in behind the defence. Her shot from distance beat Mackenzie Arnold and doubled Germany’s lead.
When Sam Kerr is on the field, however, Australia is never far away from goals. In first-half stoppage time, Ellie Carpenter made a storming run down the right-hand flank. Her cross found the head of Kerr at the front post whose well-directed, powerful header rippled the back of the net.
The goal meant that it was 2-1 at half-time and suddenly, the CommBank Matildas were right back in the game.
The second half was a much more even affair, with the game beginning to open up more as time passed.
Clare Wheeler came close 10 minutes into the half. An in-swinging corner came out to her on the edge of the penalty area. She struck it well, cannoning off the underside of the crossbar, but the ball just managed to spin away from the line and deny her a stunner.
The first substitutes for Australia came in the 65th minute. Holly McNamara replaced Sam Kerr up top, Alana Murphy and Leticia McKenna came on for Emily van Egmond and Amy Sayer respectively, and Courtney Nevin slotted in at centre-back in place of Steph Catley.
The substitutes gave Australia momentum and impetus up top. Kaitlyn Torpey was able to put in a cross after finding some space on the left, and Holly McNamara received a dangerous corner at the back post, but was unable to get firm contact.
It was Germany, however, who would score their third. They had a number of dangerous opportunities in the lead up, including forcing Mackenzie Arnold into a fantastic save in the 77th minute – however, they eventually converted six minutes later. Camilla Küver scored a header from a corner to restore their two-goal advantage and give the home side some breathing space.
Two more substitutes came in the 87th minute. Remy Siemsen replaced Hayley Raso, and Tori Tumeth became CommBank Matilda #244 when she replaced Winonah Heatley.
Holly McNamara gave the Matildas hope in stoppage time. After a turnover in a promising area, Caitlin Foord played through a precise ball to find McNamara’s clever run. She made no mistake with her left foot and was able to tuck away her third CommBank Matildas goal.
However, it was Germany who would have the last say. The ball fell to Sjoeke Nüsken inside the penalty area after another corner. The Chelsea star converted with the final action of the game to make it a 4-2 victory for Germany.
Focus for Australia now turns to the match against Haiti on Wednesday morning (AEDT)
Match Summary
Germany: 4 (Kössler 23', 30', Küver 83', Nüsken 90+4')
Australia: 2 (Kerr 45+2', McNamara 90+3')
Germany: 1. Ena Mahmutovic (GK), 2. Camilla Küver, 5. Janina Minge (23. Sophia Kleinherne 89'), 9. Sjoeke Nüsken, 13. Carlotta Wamser (7. Sarai Linder 69'), 14. Cora Zicai (10. Laura Freigang 89'), 17. Franziska Kett (2. Marie Müller 46'), 18. Melissa Kössler (8. Nicole Anyomi 69'), 19. Klara Bühl (24. Lisa Baum 46'), 20. Elisa Senß, 22. Jule Brand (16. Linda Dallman 46')
Unused substitutes: 12. Stina Johannes (GK), 21. Laura Dick (GK), 4. Luzie Zähringer
Australia: 1. Mackenzie Arnold (GK), 3. Winonah Heatley (27. Tori Tumeth 87'), 6. Clare Wheeler, 7. Steph Catley (2. Courtney Nevin 64'), 8. Kaitlyn Torpey, 9. Caitlin Foord, 10. Emily van Egmond (19. Leticia McKenna 64'), 16. Hayley Raso (26. Remy Siemsen 87'), 17. Amy Sayer (15. Alana Murphy 64'), 20. Sam Kerr (25. Holly McNamara 64'), 21. Ellie Carpenter
Unused substitutes: 12. Chloe Lincoln (GK), 18. Courtney Newbon (GK), 5. Jamilla Rankin, 11. Leah Davidson, 13. Alex Chidiac, 22. Charlotte Grant, 24. Hana Lowry, 28. Alexia Apostolakis, 29. Daniela Galic
