In the 26th minute of the Matildas’ 5-0 win over New Zealand, Australia already leading 2-0, an Amy Sayer shot bounced off the post and out to Ellie Carpenter, who had come forward from her post at right-back to be the most advanced player on the park. As she does. Her resulting shot sailed over the bar but rather than grimace, she jogged back with a big grin splashed across her face. And given how easily the Matildas were doing it, and with how much fun they looked to be having, you could hardly blame her.
After crashing back to earth against England last month, a night that even accounting for the early dismissal of Alanna Kennedy raised alarm bells, this was what the Matildas needed in the first of their two-game series with the Kiwis. Given the disparity in talent between the two and the long record of dominance Australia has in the fixture – the Football Ferns haven’t won since 1994 – victory was always expected. But that it was a comfortable one, categorised by some free-flowing football brimming with attacking intent and a cavalcade of chances that the players could take confidence from, was important.
