That’s it from me. I hope you enjoyed following along as much as I enjoyed that heated clash. Looking forward to the Matildas and Brazil doing it all again on Sunday when I’ll be a punter and reader, while Joey will guide us through the live action.
Joey Lynch has already wrapped up the game at Suncorp Stadium, where a clinical Brazil beat a belatedly inspired Australia 3-1. Here is his match report:
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Clare Polkinghorne was keen to clear up some misconceptions that this was her farewell match. As Tom Sermanni just suggested, it was instead the start of a farewell tour. The defender hopes to be part of the action when the Matildas and their old foes Brazil do it all again on Sunday night, then again when Australia face Taiwan in a pair of matches. A good reason to give the tribute tshirts a few extra wears too.
The Matildas interim coach Tom Sermanni isn’t pulling any punches in his review in the immediate aftermath of a heated encounter.
A very physical game. I think the referee allowed herself to be bullied a bit tonight and a few early yellow cards might have changed some of the dynamics of the game. Overall I can’t have any complaints about the result. I think it was fair. Ironically, just when we were beginning to get a foothold in the game, we made a mistake for the third goal and it set us back again. It was a good competitive game. And we go away with things to work at.
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A red-faced Caitlin Foord found Australia’s only goal of the evening and was part a series of running battles with the Brazilian defenders. The Matildas attacker was also dealing with acclimatising to the heat and humidity in Brisbane.
Tough conditions. Most of us play in Europe. My last game was about one degree. Coming here and playing in almost 30 it is tough. But I’m glad it [cramp] was towards the end. I got through most of it. Just about recovery now and preparing for the next game.
We know they are physical and it was meant to be a bit of a battle and they brought that tonight.
Clare Polkinghorne is on the mic after her farewell match didn’t quite go to plan on the scoreboard but did justice to her career as a hard-fought contest.
I wouldn’t say they took us by surprise, but they had a better start. They are always a physical team and they play streetsmart football which we saw again tonight. The first 15-20 minutes, we got outclassed in every area but we fought our way back into it with a goal, but we couldn’t push on. We will look at some video and looking forward to the next one.
Full-time: Australia 1-3 Brazil
The Matildas have pushed hard to hand Clare Polkinghorne a fairytale finish since giving up a two-goal advantage in the opening 13 minutes. But despite their best efforts the hosts have not been able to create enough chances and have now run out of time.
Young Brazilian forward Amanda Gutierres, on the other hand, made the most of her opportunities with a pair of clinical strikes as the Matildas left the door open for counter attacks. Caitlin Foord finished smartly to reduce the visitors’ lead just before half-time, but Gio capped off an electric display off the bench with Brazil’s third after the break.
In a heated clash, Vitoria Calhau was sent off late on for a second yellow, while Gio might have also earned a second yellow for a blatant foul on Kyra Cooney-Cross. While the result isn’t what the Matildas would have wanted in Polkinghorne’s farewell, the scene is set for another brutal encounter between the heated rivals on the Gold Coast on Sunday.
FULL TIME | A hard-fought battle in Brisbane, but we go down to the Olympic silver medallists.
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) November 28, 2024
Next up: 🇦🇺v🇧🇷 01.12.24 - @CbusStadium #Matildas #ThisIsQueensland #ExperienceGoldCoast pic.twitter.com/ZZqtg2ZZu0
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103 mins: Sharn Freier almost has her first Matildas goal as the Brazilian keeper incredibly blocks a shot from close range. That largely sums up Australia’s night. Just seconds later, the midfielder has another shot on goal but this time it is blocked by the Brazilian defence. Freier has added a spark since her introduction.
100 mins: Amanda Gutierres is rightly player of the match after lighting up the opening period with a pair of sharply taken goals and an impressive all-round showing in just her third game for Brazil. The young attacker had just the cutting edge that the Matildas have lacked.
97 mins: Gio gives one last reminder of how electric she can be as she charges through the middle channel with three Australians in front of her. The defenders track back with Brazilians on either side joining the attack until Gio launches a shot that flies wide while Arnold likely had it covered.
94 mins: Catley wins the ball deep in the Matildas forward half with a robust challenge and sends a searing cross across the box. Freier only had to get a boot on the ball to guide it into the back of the net but it sails past and ends up with Carpenter at the far post. The winger cuts it back for Kennedy to take a slamming shot but while the defender keeps the ball down it slices wide.
92 mins: Very nearly a second double-caution for Brazil as Gio dives to grab the back of Cooney-Cross’s shift and brings the Matildas midfielder to ground. It’s a clear foul but the referee has bottled that when a second yellow was called for.
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90 mins: Confirmation that we have at least 11 minutes of action to come as the Matildas push for a second goal against 10 Brazilians.
88 mins: The scrap continues as Brazil get under the skin of the host side while the Matildas dream of an unlikely comeback from two goals down. Word is there will be 11 minutes of added time, so maybe there is a glimmer of hope after all.
Red card (Calhau '86)
Vitoria Calhau has been living on the edge all evening but has earned herself a soft second yellow. After a clear foul on Carpenter in the middle of the pitch, the Australian was looking to restart quickly as Calhau wrapped arms around here. Clever from Carpenter and the referee had little choice but to wave a second caution.
81 mins: Yallop has been looking to create through the midfield in her brief time on the pitch and releases early with Raso in a one-on-one ahead of her. But Brazil clear and soak up more time with a player on turf. A clearly frustrated Raso tries to lift the Brazilian to her feet but it just delays the restart.
79 mins: A free kick deep on the left side for Australia turns into another Brazilian counter attack as Gio’s has pace to burn. Cooney-Cross does just enough to stay with the young attacker but it is left to Foord to clear away. Gio stays down grabbing at her hamstring, it seems to be calf this time.
77 mins: Brazil continue to swing the changes. Laís Estevam and Gabi Portilho have earned their rest, and it’s confirmed that Yasmim is done for the night. Camilinha, Bruninha and Vic Albuquerque enter the action.
75 mins: Sharn Freier turns on the fresh legs and chases down a long ball heading for the left corner flag. A sharp cross into the six-yard box narrowly escapes Foord and desperate defence from Brazil clears it out for a corner.
73 mins: Brazil might struggle to field a team with Yasmim the latest to go down and need a stretcher. If it isn’t cramp, it’s a hamstring injury. And the distress on her face suggests it’s the latter. Winonah Heatley makes way for Daniela Galic.
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70 mins: Gio brings Carpenter down again, this time with a heavy bump, but avoids a second yellow despite the Australian protests. The Brazilians clear the free kick from the box and, like they have done throughout, look dangerous on the counter. The Matildas get back just in time to close down the danger, but it has been a recurring problem.
68 mins: Nice build up from the hosts as Freier has lifted the tempo since coming on. Catley over hits the cross. The Matildas have had enough time in their forward half without having the polish to create enough chances.
66 mins: Another substitution for the Matildas with Tameka Yallop replacing Van Egmond. Moments later, Winonah Heatley is in a spot of bother and needs some attention. Don’t think she’s going to see out the 90 mins.
65 mins: The tireless Carpenter powers across the halfway mark but is brought down with a classic professional foul. The goalscorer Gio picks up a booking.
62 mins: Clare Polkinghorne’s celebration match comes to a close as the Matildas veteran waves to all sides of Suncorp Stadium with Sharn Freier coming on.
Sorry, there's something in our eye... 🤧 💚💛
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) November 28, 2024
🎥 @10FootballAU #Matildas #ThankYouPolks #AUSvBRA pic.twitter.com/3gUK9wCjfS
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61 mins: Raso gets on the end of a couple of chances but gives the first away with a heavy touch in the box. The attacker’s blushes are spared with an offside flag. But a second opportunity is almost gifted to her as Adriana gives the ball away with her first touch. Raso tries to take the shot quickly but is too far out and scuffs the shot wide for a goal kick.
59 mins: Natascha is unable to continue, I’m not sure why, and has been replaced. Amanda Gutierres also makes way after scoring her first two goals for Brazil in just her third match, with Adriana coming on.
Goal! Australia 1-3 (Gio '56)
The zippy Gio pounces on Alanna Kennedy trying to make her way out of defence and creates a turnover out of nothing. There is little cover with the Matildas already making their way up the pitch, but even after Kennedy races back to closes down the likely shot, Gio has the composure to round the defender and fire into the back of the net. Not for the first time, the Matildas have been their own worst enemy.
E o terceiro gol foi dela! Avisa que a @GioGarbelini voltou com tudo! Driblou e marcou! Golaço para ampliar o placar! Vamos! 🇧🇷
— Seleção Feminina de Futebol (@SelecaoFeminina) November 28, 2024
🎥 Fabio Souza / CBF pic.twitter.com/KcDi9thUNi
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55 mins: Caitlin Foord and Vitoria Calhau go into the book for their persistent tangles. It has been entertaining to watch, but the cards had been coming for a while.
53 mins: Carpenter is finding plenty of space down the right but rather than taking more ground this time quickly releases to Foord to carry the ball into the box. Raso almost gets on the end of the cut back but the ball goes behind her and Brazil clear.
51 mins: Polkinghorne clears a chip kick and the rebound off Gio goes out for a goalkick. But the referee has missed it and awards a corner. Brazil work the ball around rather than sending in a cross and a shot from Gutierres sails over the crossbar. That would’ve hurt if it went any lower.
49 mins: Carpenter steams down the right flank and cuts a cross back to Foord standing in front of goal. With fast feet the Matildas striker almost gets around the swarming Brazilian defenders, but unlike in the first half, this time they keep their feet and block the avenue to goal.
47 mins: Hayley Raso picks up where she left off, the combative competitor bringing down Duda Sampaio with a firm challenge.
Peeeeeeeeeep! Here we go again. More of the same please.
Jack Snape is at Suncorp Stadium and has learned that Clare Polkinghorne isn’t alone in being recognised for a lofty contribution to Australian football, sending us the following:
Former Socceroo Craig Foster was one of four people inducted into the Football Australia Hall of Fame in a ceremony before the match. The broadcaster and human rights advocate took the opportunity to call on the football community to support refugees and minority or persecuted groups.
“If there’s any game in this country that’s going to fight for them, surely it’s us,” Foster said. “If there’s any game that’s going to fight for First Nations rights, surely it’s us. If there’s any game that’s going to stand with the African communities when demonised, or anything that happens around the world, guys, it has to be us.”
Others inducted were women’s refereeing pioneer Jenny Bray, football administrator Ian Holmes, and the late Alex Pongrass, a key figure in the creation of the National Soccer League.
Half-time: Australia 1-2 Brazil
A rollicking first half comes to an end with the visitors leading by the narrowest of margins in Clare Polkinghorne’s farewell match. Brazilian striker Amanda Gutierres proved the difference early with a pair of lethal strikes as Australia were unable to deal with her pace and well-timed runs on the counter.
The Matildas pushed hard to stay in the game, even while leaving themselves too often exposed at the back, and were well worth their goal as the break approached. Ellie Carpenter created the opportunity out of very little after competing hard, twice, against a pair of Brazilian defenders, as Caitlin Foord was sublime in making room for herself to finish from the edge of the six-yard box.
There was plenty of heat in the match from the early exchanges but as battles simmered away all over the pitch, especially where Hayley Raso and Vitoria Calhau were nearby, this looms as a fiery a second half. The Matildas will want to tight up at the back, but otherwise this is still very much game on!
Ellie's pass 🎯 EvE's fake 😮💨 Caitlin's finish 💥
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) November 28, 2024
Just what we needed before half time ⏱️
🎥 @10FootballAU #AUSvBRA #Matildas #ThankYouPolks pic.twitter.com/jKGgxAar6p
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52 mins: Carpenter is the first to pounce on a loose ball after Raso is caught up in a battle near the corner flag with two Brazilian defenders. The Matildas wing-back streams into the penalty box but the referee closes down the advantage with a foul back near the sideline. Tom Sermanni is raging, a rare sight, but a sure sign that this clash won’t be cooling down after the break.
50 mins: Chance for Brazil but this time Gutierres fires wide. The striker has impressed with her touch and involvement in the better Brazilian build up play, as well as being the difference across the first half with two lethal strikes.
48 mins: Vitoria Calhau is one of several Brazilians happy to play a physical game and she has somehow avoided a caution there even after wrapping her arms around Hayley Raso as Australia are looking to break. The pair get to their feet and stare each other down with little being said, but there is plenty of heat in this contest.
45 mins: There will be seven minutes added time after Marilia had to be helped from the field and to account for several long periods as players have taken a breather on the grass. The Matildas look displeased as Raso is knocked to ground away from the play, but the referee isn’t interested in investigating their case further.
Goal! Australia 1-2 Brazil (Foord '43)
The Matildas have worked hard for that and none moreso than Ellie Carpenter. The wing-back beats two Brazilians near the corner flag, not once but twice, and sends a low dart across the box. Van Egmond might have take the shot from a narrow angle but leaves the ball, perhaps in hope, perhaps after hearing a call, and Foord collects near the spot. With a shimmy and swivel, she sends two defenders the wrong way and scores in the bottom right corner. A classy, composed goal from the Australian.
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40 mins: Brazil are able to use the full length of the pitch, as well as the width, with Natascha presenting as an option at the back. The scoreline doesn’t tell the full story of what has been a frenetic first half, and it’s understandable that the visitors might want to slow things down, even as the crowd collectively call for them to get a hurry on.
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38 mins: The Matildas haven’t had much trouble getting into the Brazilian penalty box but can’t quite put the finishing touches on their best moves. Foord shows her frustration at the close checking from Isa Hass but the referee waves away her appeals and points to the corner flag. Brazil clear the cross.
35 mins: Cooney-Cross cuts out a pass in the middle of the pitch and quickly releases to find Raso in space in front of her. The forward draws two defenders and looks to send Van Egmond into space next but the midfielder isn’t on the same wave length and the opportunity goes begging.
33 mins: Brazil are happy to play out from the back even under intense pressure from the Matildas. Goalkeeper Natascha looks as comfortable with the ball at her feet as anyone, and is spending as much time outside the penalty box to be part of the build as near her goalline.
31 mins: Hayley Raso cuts through the Brazilian defence but their goalkeeper Natascha comes screaming off her line. The pair meet 20m from the edge of the penalty box as the glovewoman is fortunate to go to ground and get a clearing kick away. Natascha has come off second best and for the second time in as many minutes is calling for treatment.
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28 mins: Foord looks the main danger drifting into the left channel almost has a sight on goal before being called offside. Catley is working well with her club teammate and finds space in the penalty box with a speedy underlap but the Brazilian defence are quick to close down the threat. It hardly feels like a 0-2 scoreline, but the visitors have simply been more clinical.
26 mins: Portilho is back on the pitch as soon as she went off and racing along the right win gives Clare Hunt a good test for pace. The resulting corner turns into chaos in the six-yard box as the Matildas take time to clear.
24 mins: Gabi Portilho is the next Brazilian to hit the turf after a coming together with Caitlin Foord. This one looks like a knock to the quad and the Matildas return the ball to the Brazilian defence after another delay.
21 mins: Australia are on the attack again and Winonah Heatley’s eyes light up as she carries the ball into the penalty box. Marilia makes a last-ditch tackle to block the shot and stays on the deck as a stretcher is called. Another Brazilian youngster in Gio is called into the action as her replacement. Brazil cleaner the corner kick.
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18 mins: Mackenzie Arnold is called on again after the Matildas give the ball away too easily in their own half but the goalkeeper tidies up. She takes a seat and will need some treatment while both sides take an opportunity to rehydrate in the hot and humid conditions.
15 mins: The Matildas have had little difficulty getting the ball into the Brazilian penalty box but so far have lacked anything like the cutting edge of the visitors. Catley is the main outlet on the left but has been unable to find Foord in front of goal with a pair of crosses. Australia can’t make anything of the corner.
Goal! Australia 0-2 Brazil (Gutierres '13)
Once again Brazil turn defence into attack as Foord as time inside the box to pick out Catley but the right-back’s shot is blocked. In next to no time, Gutierres picks up the ball inside the box and, despite Arnold getting a hand to the ball, rockets a second into the far corner.
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9 mins: Another counterattack for Brazil and Gutierres is through the defensive line again. This time Arnold beats the forward to the ball and there is added respite when a flag is waved for offside. But there are enough early warnings of what’s to come for the Matildas.
Goal! Australia 0-1 Brazil (Gutierres '6)
Foul against Caitlin Foord at the other end might have gone Australia’s way but Brazil are awake to the quick restart to slice open the Matildas defence. Amanda Gutierres times her run perfectly to burst through the line and leaving Arnold trying to beat the Brazilian to the ball. Gutierres gets their first, rounds the keeper and slots home with her left boot from the same side.
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4 mins: Amanda Gutierres gets the first shot of the night away from the edge of the penalty box. There isn’t enough power though and Mackenzie Arnold barely has to move before collecting with ease.
2 mins: The Matildas lock the ball forward without creating anything resembling a threat. Once Brazil get the ball at their feet they’re happy to pass it around and give everyone a touch. Works at all levels.
Peeeeeeeeep! We’re underway at Suncorp Stadium. The Matildas start in a 3-4-3 formation with wing-backs Carpenter and Catley pushing straight into the midfield. Brazil line up with a familiar 4-3-3.
The national anthems are done, the Polkinghorne has won the toss, the captains are delivering their last-minute instructions.
The no-frills defender Clare Polkinghorne keeps it short n sweet as she says her thank yous and demands that it’s time to get down to business.
Just a few quick words from me because we’ve got a game to get on with. It’s so special for me to be here and to celebrate in front of my home fans, in a city I grew up and in and stadium that I absolutely love.
This team has been everything to me. It’s been a hell of a journey and I’m very thankful for everything that everyone has done along the way. So thank you very much and let’s get on with it.
The Matildas have swapped out of their Clare Polkinghorne tribute tshirts and into their more familiar gold-with-a-dash-of-green jerseys. Brazil are dressed in their blue kit with white shorts as both sides line up to acknowledge the Australian defender ahead of her 168th and final football match.
From one great to another, former Brisbane Broncos rugby league star Darren Lockyer and swimmer Susie O’Neill hand Polkinghorne memorabilia to mark the occasion of her farewell match, and set a high benchmark for surprises we might see this evening (it turns out they were Polkinghorne’s childhood heroes).
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The Matildas are building up to another international tournament on home soil with the Asian Cup just 15 months away, while Brazil are taking steps towards hosting the next Women’s World Cup in 2027.
But the early signs are that this will be a celebration of the career of a hometown hero at Suncorp Stadium. There is, after all, only one Clare Polkinghorne!
Tonight’s for you, Polks! 👏#Matildas #ThankYouPolks @clarepolks89 pic.twitter.com/ymLEuS1sn3
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) November 28, 2024
Samantha Lewis has been following the Matildas since well before they were cool and has dug deep into her notebooks to pull out a close look at their history of clashes with Brazil. The blue touch paper was lit on the rivalry during the Women’s World Cup 2007 when Australia reached the quarter-finals for the first time (spoiler alert: Brazil were runners-up).
Their first opponents in the knockout stage were Brazil: a team who have since become one of the Matildas’ longest-standing rivals, and who were led, back then, by the great Marta, who would go on to win the tournament’s Golden Boot and MVP awards.
Australia lost that game 3-2 – not a boilover, by any stretch – with the core of that team going on to become the country’s first Asian Champions just three years later.
Brazil XI
Brazil: Natascha (gk); Fe Palermo, Isa Hass, Vitoria Calhau, Yasmim (capt); Laís Estevam, Duda Sampaio, Marilia; Gabi Portilho, Aline Gomes, Amanda Gutierres
📋 A #SeleçãoFeminina está escalada para o primeiro amistoso contra a Austrália, no Suncorp Stadium, às 07h10 (horário de Brasília)! Você assiste ao vivo no @sportv! PRA CIMAAA, BRASIL! 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/ZhG8kQQmdP
— Seleção Feminina de Futebol (@SelecaoFeminina) November 28, 2024
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Matildas XI
Clare Polkinghorne starts and wears the captain’s armband in her 168th and last appearance for Australia. The defender scored in the Matildas’ back-to-back friendlies against Brazil three years ago and no doubt would love another tonight to sign off in style.
Emily Van Egmond becomes the fourth player to make 150 appearances for the Matildas, drawing equal with Lisa De Vanna and now one cap behind Cheryl Salisbury. Winonah Heatley is very much at the other end of her career and will start after a debut against Germany last month amid a very defensive looking line up.
Matildas: Mackenzie Arnold (gk), Ellie Carpenter, Clare Polkinghorne (capt), Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Steph Catley; Emily Van Egmond, Winonah Heatley; Kyra Cooney-Cross, Hayley Raso, Caitlin Foord.
STARTING XI 🗒
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) November 28, 2024
Here's how we line up for our game against Brazil at Suncorp Stadium.👊
🫡 @clarepolks89 leads us out tonight in her last game in front of her hometown crowd#Matildas #ThankYouPolks pic.twitter.com/gLrYDyFWpb
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While we can hope to see some fresh faces for the Matildas this evening, one of the true stalwarts of the side will be closing the curtain on an illustrious career in her home town Brisbane. Clare Polkinghorne will line up for the national side for the 168th time – a record number of caps for an Australian footballer – since making her debut in 2006.
Our own Jack Snape looks at Polkinghorne’s career in green and gold and what comes next for the former Australia captain (with some kind words from interim coach Tom Sermanni thrown in).
She is the defensive stalwart for the sporting team that has become Australia’s darling, yet after 18 years with the Matildas, Clare Polkinghorne has a clear-cut view of retirement: “I’ll definitely need a job.”
Preamble
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the women’s international friendly between the Matildas and Brazil at Suncorp Stadium. This is the beginning of a two-match series between the highly-ranked teams, with the second clash to come on Sunday, as Australia return to Brisbane for the first time since the Women’s World Cup last year.
The Matildas and Brazil took different paths through the global showcase as the hosts reached the semi-finals and the visitors were knocked out at the group stage, though they have been heading in opposite directions since then. Brazil have risen to No 8 in the Fifa rankings after their silver medal at the Paris Games, while Australia have slumped to No 15 – their lowest ranking since 2007 – in part due to a disappointing Olympic campaign.
Australia are taking tentative steps towards regeneration since the departure of coach Tony Gustavsson and are likely to field a dash of the old mixed with the new tonight, especially with several stars sitting out. Mary Fowler has joined Cortnee Vine in taking a break from the Matilda’s four-match home series, while captain Sam Kerr is of course still recovering from an ACL injury.
Football Australia revealed about two hours ago that only 1,000 tickets remain for the friendly at Suncorp Stadium, so if you’re still intending to try your luck at the gate I suggest you run, don’t walk. The likely sell-out will make it the 15th home match in a row where the doors are shut behind the Matildas. A competitive showing, perhaps even a victory, feels increasingly critical to ensuring the sheen remains on the women’s team.
Kick-off time in Brisbane is 8pm local / 9pm AEDT. I’ll be back shortly with the line-ups and team news.
In the meantime, get in touch with any comments, questions, thoughts and predictions. You can shoot me an email, or find me on Bluesky @martinpegan.bsky.social and X @martinpegan. Let’s get into it!
Thank you, Polks! 👏#Matildas #ThankYouPolks pic.twitter.com/EhKOA9JfD3
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) November 28, 2024
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