Kyra Cooney-Cross wonder strike powers Matildas to 19-year first against Germany
An absolute worldie of a goal from Matildas young gun Kyra Cooney-Cross has powered the Aussies to a droughtbreaking win.
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The Matildas have defeated Germany 2-1 in a friendly on Tuesday morning (AEDT) on the back of an absolute worldie from Kyra Cooney-Cross.
The Germans opened the scoring in the fifth minute through a goal Selina Cerci and it looked like it might be a tough day at the office in Duisburg, Germany.
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But the match flipped on its head when Cooney-Cross delivered an all-time long distance strike in the 39th minute.
After Germany turned the ball over near the halfway line, Cooney-Cross took one touch then unleashed a long, floating shot.
The 22-year-old midfielder sensed Germany’s goalkeeper Stina Johannes was off her line and the ball sailed over her outstretched hands and into the back of the net.
Watch Kyra Cooney-Cross’ goal in the video above
It brought back memories of Sam Kerr’s wonder goal against England in the 2023 World Cup semi-final.
Remarkably, it was the first goal Cooney-Cross has scored for the Matildas. The Arsenal midfielder was also playing in her 50th Matildas game, becoming the fastest player to the milestone.
The Matildas sealed victory in the 77th minute when central defender Clare Hunt headed in a Steph Catley corner — it was also Hunt’s first ever goal for the Matildas.
Germany are the World No. 4 — they have won two FIFA World Cups and the women’s Euros eight times.
They had beaten reigning Euros champions and World Cup runners-up England 4-3 in their last match.
“You cannot underestimate the importance of a result like this,” former Australian player Grace Gill said in commentary on Paramount Plus.
“Coming back from such a difficult Olympic campaign, the Matildas need a result, they needed a performance.”
“Germany look a bit shellshocked here,” co-commentator Teo Pellizzeri said.
The win is a welcome result for the Matildas, who were scratchy in a 1-1 draw with Switzerland over the weekend.
Mary Fowler had a quiet game against Switzerland, prompting discussion about how the Matildas can get the Manchester City star more involved in games.
Most of Australia’s best attacking chances against Germany came through Caitlin Foord down the right hand side, with Fowler playing on the left. She was substituted in the 87th minute.
It’s the first time the Matildas have beaten Germany since 2005. Current interim coach Tom Sermanni was in charge of the Matildas back then.
The Matildas continued to struggle defensively in the first half, and needed the woodwork to avoid going two goals down in the eighth minute when a shot from Felicitas Rauch hit the base of the post.
The Australians eventually settled, with forward Caitlin Foord having two good chances to equalise in the 22nd and 25th minutes.
However, on both occasions she was foiled by German keeper Johannes.
Soon after the Matildas were forced into an earlier-than-expected substitution when defender Kaitlyn Torpey was forced off with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
She was replaced by striker Michelle Heyman as the Australians changed formation in switching to a back-four after starting the match with five players in defence.
With NCA Newswire
Originally published as Kyra Cooney-Cross wonder strike powers Matildas to 19-year first against Germany
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