The Matildas have set the tone for their Cup of Nations campaign with Hayley Raso scoring a double as they pumped Czechia 4-0 in Gosford.
Raso's two goals after the halftime break at Industree Group Stadium helped settle Australia's nerves after the Czechs had failed to convert a trio of gilt-edged chances in the first half.
Tony Gustavsson's side ironed out their defensive vulnerabilities in the second half and Sam Kerr and Clare Polkinghorne, who became the Matildas' most-capped player of all time in her 152nd game, joined Raso on the scoresheet.
Australia play world No.7 Spain, who beat Jamaica earlier on Thursday, in Parramatta on Sunday in a game which is likely to decide the winner of the tournament.
Polkinghorne looked assured at the back in her milestone game and the Matildas began in promising fashion with Kerr and Raso both probing the Czech defence.
But just as Australia were beginning to threaten, Czechia sparked into life.
If it wasn't for goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, who was starting her first Matildas game in over a year, Australia could have found themselves 3-0 down.
Gustavasson has spoken of this tournament being a dress rehearsal for the World Cup but when the Czechs took a stranglehold - albeit brief - his side looked vulnerable.
Thankfully for the Swede his side were able to weather the storm and then snatch a lead through Raso just after half-time.
Kerr found her teammate in space on the right side of the box in the 48th minute and Raso finished, a cruel deflection helping the ball bobble past Czech goalkeeper Olivie Lukasova and into the back of the net.
Raso's strike jolted Australia into life and they attacked with purpose, with Kerr particularly menacing as she left the Czech defence chasing their tail.
A Steph Catley corner was their reward and it was an opportunity they didn't waste.
Western Sydney defender Clare Hunt, who was making her senior debut, headed Catley's in-swinger back towards the goalmouth where Raso was able to poke home for her second of the night.
Even after Gustavsson made a treble substitution, the Matildas continued their charge, with Kerr scoring in the 70th minute after some energetic play from substitute Alex Chidiac.
Polkinghorne then capped her historic night by scoring off a deflection from a corner with less than 10 minutes left.
