A brilliant strike from left back Nicola Docherty two minutes into the second half gave Scotland their best result for four years at the Cherry Red Records Stadium in London. The goal was enough to sink this summer's World Cup co-hosts Australia, who now play England on Tuesday.
The last time Scotland beat a FIFA ranked top ten side was on April 8, 2019 when Arsenal captain Kim Little got the goal which beat Brazil in San Pedro del Pinatar. That, too, was a friendly, but Friday's victory was a huge confidence booster ahead of the inaugural women's Nations League in the autumn.
Rangers defender Docherty said after her 20-yard strike: “You make your own luck in football, so as soon as I got the ball I just thought have a crack at goal. Fortunately for me its gone in and we've managed to see out a fantastic result.”
The big pre-match surprise – in what had been billed the Sam Kerr derby – was that Australia left their captain and top scorer on the bench. Her Scottish namesake was, however, in Pedro Martinez Losa's starting line-up.
The head coach also included 17-year-old midfielder Emma Watson, who was in a national squad for the first time. The teenager, who has been compared by her Rangers team-mate Docherty to Erin Cuthbert, proved in her 66 minutes that she belongs at this level.
Australia controlled the opening quarter but then Scotland carved out four great chances in just seven minutes. The best was the first, but Martha Thomas failed to convert despite being completely unmarked in the box.
Docherty's early second half goal proved to be the winner. The defender made a perfect connection to send a powerful right foot shot from 20 yards high into the net off the inside of the far post.
The Australians, who were on a seven game winning run, replied strongly and hit the woodwork twice in seven minutes, while in between Lee Gibson made a great block to deny Mary Fowler.
Thomas should then have given Scotland a cushion following great work by Caroline Weir and captain Claire Emslie, but failed to even find the target. Watson was replaced by Chelsea Cornet, another Rangers midfielder making her Scotland debut, midway through the half, but despite needing a goal Australia kept their Kerr on the bench for the entire game.
Scotland now host Costa Rica at Hampden on Tuesday.
