Matildas stun Germany 2-1 as outrageous goal highlights Kyra Cooney-Cross’ elite level

Having taken the World Cup by storm last year, Kyra Cooney-Cross has reminded us all just how special she can be during the Matildas’ shock win over Germany, scoring one of the goals of the year.

Playing alongside a veteran and superstar has cast a long shadow over Kyra Cooney-Cross but the 22-year-old stood-up against fierce rivals Germany to set up a historic 2-1 win for the Matildas.

The Matildas hadn’t celebrated a win against the World No.4 and Olympic bronze medal winners since 2005 - back when now interim coach Tom Sermanni was at the helm.

Their last meeting, which Germany won 3-0, heralded the start of the Matildas disastrous Olympic campaign.

Despite a sloppy performance and the German side dominating the Matildas have managed to escape their first international window under Sermanni without defeat.

The shining star was Cooney-Cross, who scored an absolute classic to spur the Matildas to victory.

ABSOLUTE BANGER from KCC 🚀☄️@kyracooneyx opens her account for Australia in her 50th cap, and what a way to do it!

🎥: @ParamountPlusAU#Matildas#GERvAUSpic.twitter.com/Reu0IHjlVq

— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) October 28, 2024

She gained worldwide recognition during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup - a tweet from Arsenal legend Ian Wright paving the midfielder’s move to the English WSL club in a deal worth $270,000.

But since then she has flown relatively under the radar when in national team colours.

This game marked Cooney-Cross’s 50th appearance in the green and gold.

She is the second fastest Australian woman to achieve the feat - knocking up the milestone in three years and 140 days.

Cooney-Cross was a workhorse in the midfield against Germany, given a lot more freedom in Sermanni’s revamped formation.

Unlike the game against Switzerland just a few days ago, or as she was during the Olympic campaign, Cooney-Cross was not forced back to make room for Mary Fowler.

With Fowler pushed to a much more sensible position alongside Caitlin Foord - it gave Cooney-Cross more room to move.

As the clock wound down in the first half - the Matildas down 0-1 - Cooney-Cross knocked in a spectacular goal from just inside the half to level the scores. Her first goal for the Matildas.

She had the vision to spot the German keeper was off her line and the technical ability and skill to bang the ball into the net - silencing all but the few Aussie fans scattered throughout the stadium.

Kyra Cooney-Cross chips Germany’s keeper from near the halfway line. Picture: Alex Grimm/Getty Images

Sermanni said it was one of the best goals he had seen during his time as a Matildas coach.

“It just shows how much quality and ability she has and vision,” Sermanni said.

“She got herself in a position which you could have taken it forward but she spotted the goalkeeper off the line and finished it perfectly.

“Kyra is the kind of player who can be the real backbone of this team for a long time to come.

“She’s certainly a very important player for us in midfield, she’s comfortable in possession, she can dribble, she can pass with both feet - it’s just a question of her continuing to develop - she is well on her way to being a world class player.”

Cooney-Cross wasn’t the only one to benefit from Sermanni’s slight change to the starting line-up.

Fowler, wearing her trademark gloves, had a much improved performance.

Foord might have dominated the daring runs and Australia’s limited shots on goal but Fowler was free to be the playmaker - her balls into the danger zones often creating the chances.

The Manchester City star certainly looked much more at home with the ball at her feet.

With a number of Matildas expected to retire or take reduced roles come the 2026 Asian Cup, finding out how to get the best out of next generation players such as Fowler, Wheeler, Kaitlyn Torpey and Cooney-Cross will be crucial for whoever eventually takes over as coach.

Central defender Clare Hunt scored the match winner for the Matildas - a header off a Steph Catley cross in the 77th minute.

Hunt heads in her first goal for Australia to give us the lead & look at what it means! 💚💛

🎥: @ParamountPlusAU#Matildas#GERvAUSpic.twitter.com/hNKxoI4Vvg

— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) October 28, 2024

The Matildas had to dig deep to hold off a relentless German side desperate to get the win for retiring legend Alexandra Popp.

It was far from a perfect game for the Matildas.

The Germans ripped through the Matildas defence from the opening whistle.

Australian keeper Mackenzie Arnold almost touched the ball more in the first 10 minutes than any other Matildas outfield player.

It took Germany just five minutes to find the net.

The Matildas tried to get back into the match but sloppy passes and loose defence helped the home team dominate.

Germany had 19 shots to Australia’s six.

Possession easily went the way of the host nation who had 74 per cent of the ball.

After a lucky escape with a 1-1 draw against Switzerland, the Matildas were not expected to be much of a threat to the German side.

While it was far from a pretty game from the Matildas, the end result will prove the perfect confidence booster for a squad which Sermanni said had come into camp feeling “low”.

The Matildas will be back in Australia for the next international window at the end of November - they will play two games against Brazil in Queensland then head to Victoria for a two-game series with Chinese Taipei.

Originally published as Matildas stun Germany 2-1 as outrageous goal highlights Kyra Cooney-Cross’ elite level