Damning Matildas issue continually exposed vs Brazil on the Gold Coast

The Matildas have been called out by those watching on with a glaring issue continually proving to be their undoing on Sunday.

A glaring Matildas issue has been called out on Sunday night as the Aussies fell to Brazil 2-1 on the Gold Coast.

After going down 3-1 in Brisbane on Thursday, The Matildas were hoping to get one back on the football powerhouse.

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But as the contest continued to unfold, a glaring issue for the local outfit became abundantly evident.

As Brazil continued to apply the pressue on keeper Teagan Micah, at the other end of the pitch life was a lot tougher for the Matildas.

Despite countless surging attacks that looked promising, the Matildas were routinely turned back and on a host of occassions it had nothing to do with stoic defensive work.

Instead it was the Matildas own undoing that cost them dearly with former Australian soccer playing Andy Harper pointing to the issue as the difference on the night.

“The difference between the teams is the quality in transition,” Harper said on Paramount Plus.

“Australia have had a greater share of good circumstances but haven’t made the Brazil keeper be excellent.

“Brazil have had fewer chances and they’ve made Teagan Micah be excellent. And I think that’s the story.”

The Matildas only had themselves to blame. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Harper wasn’t alone in criticising the Matildas for shooting themselves in the foot in the final third with fellow Paramount Plus commentator Grace Gill savaging the Aussies after a horror passage in the second half.

After taking possession of the ball on the halfway line, the Matildas streamed towards goal with five players as three Brazilian defenders back-peddled.

Hayley Raso however squandered what appeared to be a golden opportunity as her cross back into the box went straight to a Brazilian defender.

“After what looked like a really promising attack with five yellow shirts streaming ahead, just the three blue Brazil shirts to defend. Just couldn’t get that pass right in that final moment, that final bit of execution that quality the Matildas need in that final third is not there at the moment and it’s hurting them,” Gill said.

The Matildas just kept butchering their chances. Credit: Paramount.

As the Matildas struggled to link up in the final third, defensively they were sliced apart in the opening half.

Brazil continued to apply the pressure as their speed left the Matildas vulnerable before Gabi Portilho found the back of the net in the 29th minute.

A brilliant passage of play ended with Portilho racing towards goal with goalkeeper Teagan Micah helpless to stop her shot.

They doubled their advantage in the 40th minute after a pinpoint cross into the box found Lauren Costa at the backpost who comfortably slotted the ball into the back of the net.

The Matildas however cut the margin back only minutes later with Hayley Raso getting onto the end of a Foord cross and tapping it home to make it 2-1 at halftime.

HAYLEY RASSO!!
A World-Class delivery served on a platter, and Australia are back in the game!!
Brazil Leads Australia, 2-1.@TheMatildas vs #Brazil | Live & Free on 10 | https://t.co/M14OJmndRV | #AUSvBRA#Matildaspic.twitter.com/uywbZVTF4h

— 10 Football (@10FootballAU) December 1, 2024

An arm wrestle unfolded in the second half as the Matildas attempted to find the equaliser but once again they continued to fall short in the final third.

Brazil defensively held firm before launching into their own attacking passages with Micah relied upon to turn away several chances.

The Matildas threw everything they had at their rivals in the dying stages but it wasn’t to be as Brazil wrapped up the second straight victory.

The Matildas will return to action on Wednesday night when they take on Chinese Taipei from Melbourne’s AAMI Park at 8pm (AEDT).