The Matildas have claimed their second win of the Cup of Nations, defeating Spain 3-2 in a principally commanding efficiency at CommBank Stadium on Sunday in entrance of 17,333 supporters. The outcome retains them on the summit of the ladder and in pole place to take out the Cup of Nations.
Australia’s defence appeared resolute and held out for 73 minutes earlier than being breached in good indicators as the house Ladies’s World Cup looms giant.
Tony Gustavsson made two modifications to his beginning 11, with 23-year-old Clare Hunt coming in for veteran Aivi Luik in a altering of the guard, whereas Caitlin Foord was handed a begin instead of the seemingly out of shape Mary Fowler.
It was nearly the proper begin for the house aspect when Cortnee Vine and Foord linked up after Sam Kerr’s flick on, however the Sydney FC winger dawdled and let the chance move.
The Matildas appeared decided to begin brighter than they did in Thursday night time’s win over Czechia, enjoying with higher depth and exhibiting extra starvation to take the sport to their opponents.
Mackenzie Arnold was known as into motion early, getting down low to disclaim Olga Carmona, who was doubtlessly in an unlawful place as she obtained Jenni Hermoso’s deft move however the play was allowed to proceed.
Australia capitalised on their good begin, opening the scoring within the eleventh minute because of Vine’s rocket from exterior the field. Hayley Raso began the transfer with a run down the precise, earlier than squaring to Vine who unleashed an ideal strike, giving Misa Rodriguez no probability.
Earlier than lengthy the house aspect prolonged their benefit to 2-0 by means of Clare Polkinghorne, the Matildas’ all-time look report holder capitalising on a mistake from the Spanish defence to double her Cup of Nations tally.
With the match lower than 20 minutes outdated, the guests discovered themselves in a little bit of a gap because of the Matildas’ wonderful begin.
Vine was inflicting chaos down the precise wing, along with her teammates seeking to exploit the winger’s tempo with cut-out balls at each alternative.
Spain remained within the contest, taking a bit extra management in midfield, and sustaining possession however failing to search out a lot innovative. The clearest path to aim can be by means of the nifty Hermoso, who at all times appeared threatening when she managed to get on the ball in superior areas.
Sam Kerr had the ball within the internet within the thirty seventh minute with a bullet header, however the assistant’s flag was instantly raised for offside and it might not rely. Replays confirmed the Chelsea ahead was simply barely in an unlawful place because the ball was delivered.
The Matildas would have their third aim simply minutes later, nonetheless, as an ideal set-piece supply discovered the unmarked Foord, who simply dispatched her header from shut vary.
(Photograph by Matt King/Getty Pictures)
It ought to have been 4-0 quickly after as Kerr discovered herself one-on-one with Rodriguez however she may solely drag her shot large.
Raso sustained an harm to her wrist simply earlier than the break and was helped off the pitch, however returned to the sphere for the beginning of the second half.
There have been no modifications from Gustavsson at half-time, an indication the Swede was content material along with his aspect’s opening 45 minutes, and with good purpose – it was the Matildas’ most polished begin to a match in a very long time.
Chasing the sport now, the Spaniards began to point out extra intent, focusing on the precise aspect of Australia’s defence. The corners began to pile up however the Matildas defence remained resolute beneath stress.
Raso, clearly feeling the results of the wrist downside, was subbed off within the 58th minute, changed by Larissa Crummer. The Brisbane Roar ahead would have simply over 40 minutes to impress Gustavsson.
With Spain bearing down on aim in a two-on-one state of affairs, Arnold pulled off her finest save of the match – making herself large to disclaim Hermoso, who actually ought to have scored.
The house aspect’s hopes for a clear sheet have been dashed within the 73rd minute when Carmona unleashed a strong strike from exterior the realm, giving the unsighted Arnold no probability.
As stable because the backline had been it was a blow to be undone late within the piece.
Simply minutes later Salma Ayingono acquired in behind and reduce on to her proper foot, however may solely sky her effort excessive over the crossbar. Some worrying indicators for the hosts because the clock ticked down into the ultimate 10 minutes.
In stoppage time Spain lowered the deficit to at least one by means of Alba Redondo from Marta Cardona’s reduce. It was nearly the final kick of the sport, nonetheless, so there have been few actually nervy moments for the Matildas.
It was one other essential outcome for Gustavsson and his aspect, and crucially, a principally dominant efficiency. Nonetheless, the supervisor will certainly be involved with the lapses of focus late within the second half.
The Matildas tackle Jamaica at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium on Wednesday night time to spherical out their Cup of Nations marketing campaign, the place a draw will assure the title for Australia.
