‘Don’t adjust your screens’: Matildas off to Paris after 10-0 stunner

Australia has a rocky history in qualifying tournaments, but the Tillies quickly buried any nerves in stunning style.

Matildas thrash Uzbekistan to secure Olympic qualification. Photos: Getty Images

Well, that was easy.

Australia has a mixed history of qualifying for major football tournaments, including a number of famous heartbreaking World Cup moments for the Socceroos.

But the Matildas took any drama out of reaching this year’s Paris Olympics with an extraordinary first half against Uzbekistan, ultimately marching to a stunning 10-0 triumph.

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The Tillies were already in a very comfortable position following a 3-0 victory away from home in the first leg.

But it took just 34 seconds for the scoreboard to start ticking in front of a shocked crowd at Marvel Stadium.

The opener came via an unfortunate own goal to Dilrabo Shokirboy qizi Asadova in Australia’s first attacking move of the game.

This was an almost constant sight at Marvel Stadium. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

Michelle Heyman (left) had a dream first half for the Tillies. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

The crowd spent little time sitting down. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

That left the floodgates wide open as the goals kept flowing, with Michelle Heyman finishing the half with four goals to her name alone.

Heyman returned to national colours for the first time in eight years in this series and got a goal in the opening leg.

But this performance must have been pure dreamland for the 35-year-old veteran.

Kaitlyn Torpey, Mary Fowler and Caitlin Foord also got their names on the scoresheet as the adoring home crowd saluted one of Australia’s most popular national teams.

8-Zip... like shelling peas #Matildas

— Woodsy (@beergutpunter) February 28, 2024

Uzbeki-sad.

— Metallica : Australia/New Zealand tour (@MetallicaAusNZ) February 28, 2024

Can someone please check Melbourne Airport for our opposition

— Renee Burge (@qlotti) February 28, 2024

Matildas fans beginning to realise Uzbekistan might not be the dangerous opponent they thought they could be. #matildas#whooopwhoopwhooppic.twitter.com/OZgBQDC5vX

— Ed Jackson (@edjacko) February 28, 2024

It also went a long way to helping everyone forget the absence of superstar and the team’s skipper Sam Kerr, who must be overjoyed watching the action as she recovers from a major knee injury.

“Do not adjust your screens,” the commentator said at the start of the second half.

“It is eight-nil and Australia are on their way to the Paris Olympics, a third consecutive Olympic Games appearance.”

To their credit the visitors made more of a game of it in the second half and had chances of their own to find the back of the net.

But goals to Hayley Raso in the 68th minute and Amy Sayer four minutes into injury time added gloss to the final score, winning 10-0 on the night and 13-0 on aggregate.

“They are Australia’s favourite national team, of that there can be no doubt,” the commentator added in the second half.

“They must be genuine medal contenders in Paris and what an achievement that would be.”