When the Matildas’ squad was announced earlier this month, talismanic captain Sam Kerr was defiant. “We’re ready,” she proclaimed. On the evidence of Friday night’s friendly in Melbourne, she was right. Australia’s only warm-up match on the eve of the Women’s World Cup was near-perfect preparation, downing European championship semi-finalists France with a solitary strike from substitute Mary Fowler.
With fluid counter-attacking, defensive mettle and composed displays from veterans and newcomers alike, the Matildas appear in fine form ahead of their campaign opener against Ireland next week. Expectations are sky-high, but just six days out from their first home World Cup, the Australians seemed unfazed.
Before a near-capacity crowd of 50,629 – a record attendance for the Matildas on home soil – Australian coach Tony Gustavsson opted for a full-strength line-up. Alanna Kennedy was back in the fold after a nine-month injury-induced absence, while Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord also returned to the starting XI.
Since taking over the Matildas in late 2020, Gustavsson has emphasised the importance of playing against highly-ranked opposition – and this game would be no different. But there was no gulf in class in the opening tussles, as No 5-ranked France struggled to contain the No 10-ranked Australia. It may have been pin-ball football, with neither team able to find a consistent tempo, but it suited Australia all the same.
The Matildas’ attacking quartet of Kerr, Ford, Cortnee Vine and Hayley Raso – aided in large measure part by flying wingbacks Catley and Ellie Carpenter – frequently found space on the counter-attack. Kerr had an early chance with barely two minutes gone, while Foord tried to dribble the ball into goal midway through the half. Wave after wave of attacking football lit up crowd; too often the decisive penultimate pass or final touch were missing, but it offered good omens for the tournament ahead.
Yet in what might be another theme of the World Cup to come, the attacking raids also left the Matildas defensively exposed on more than one occasion. France’s first chance came after 16 minutes, with a driving effort from Lyon’s Selma Bacha instinctively parried by Australian custodian Mackenzie Arnold. Another opportunity came for Les Bleues just minutes later, the ball bobbling around dangerously in the Matildas’ box, but France failed to capitalise. And so it would remain for the rest of the first-half: partial chances aplenty, France boasting more of the possession and the Matildas happy to hit on the counter-attack.
Following the evenly-balanced first-half, lady luck shone on the Matildas midway through the second and the game changed with two decisive moments only minutes apart. Just as France’s midfield was beginning to assert its dominance, French forward Eugénie Le Sommer was brought down heavily by Catley in the Matildas’ box. Replays suggested a penalty was deserved, but with the video assistant referee not operational until the tournament begins next week, the Matildas escaped unscathed.
A handful of minutes later, half-time substitute Fowler ended the deadlock. It was vintage Matildas: Kyra Cooney-Cross marauding forward on the counter-attack, finding Raso who burst down the right-hand flank towards the byline, picking out the on-rushing Fowler in the French box. The 20-year-old had earlier looked nervous in her opening touches, but there was no hesitation as she controlled the ball with one touch and fired past Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.
France were unable to wrest back control in the final part of the game, stunned by the double-blow of the non-penalty and Fowler’s strike. The only asterisk to the Matildas’ perfect preparation was an injury concern for Yallop, who twisted her leg awkwardly in a challenge. The national team stalwart tried to jog off the pain, but was ultimately withdrawn. Gustavsson will be hoping that Yallop’s fourth World Cup is not over before it began. France’s Bacha also suffered in a late clash, stretchered off in the dying minutes of extra-time – causing visible distress to club teammate Carpenter, only recently recovered from a long-term injury herself.
Despite the date, there would be no Bastille Day celebrations for the French visitors at Marvel Stadium. But for Australian fans, Kerr’s Matildas were true to their word. They’re ready – and the World Cup is almost here.
