Matildas rout Brazil for Tournament of Nations triumph

Australia have crushed Brazil, capping a dream run and netting their first major trophy in seven years | WATCH

Sam Kerr and Emily van Egmond have been crucial to the Matildas campaign. Picture: Getty

The Matildas have blitzed their way to Tournament of Nations glory by defeating Brazil 6-1 to claim the inaugural four-team competition in stunning style.

Doubles from record-breaker Lisa De Vanna and Caitlin Foord helped Australia overturn an early deficit in Carson, Los Angeles, with Katrina Gorry also adding her name to the score sheet.

Sam Kerr was irrepressible, winning a first-half penalty to earn an equaliser before providing two assists and icing the match with Australia’s sixth goal.

The comprehensive win was the Matildas’ third in a week and delivered their first piece of silverware since the 2010 Asian Cup.

The world’s seventh-ranked team went unbeaten through their three games, starting with a 1-0 victory over the defending World Cup champion US team in the opener in Portland.

While this tournament is only a friendly series, a first-ever win over world champions US and victories over highly ranked Japan and Brazil make it arguably the Matildas’ greatest success.

The triumph over Brazil came despite an early setback.

Skipper Elise Kellond-Knight conceded a free kick in the opening minute, which Tamires rolled across the box for Camila to score from.

The replay made for excruciating viewing, as the ball trickled home within the reach of three defenders and goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.

Five minutes later, Kerr helped Alen Stajcic’s team get back on level terms. The in-form striker was hauled down in the box by Bia Zaneratto, allowing De Vanna to equalise from close range after her initial spot kick was saved. Arnold’s fine save and quick release allowed Australia to take the lead, with Foord finishing an end-to-end move just after the half hour. Having provided Foord’s assist from the right, minutes later Kerr played in De Vanna from the left and the veteran made no mistake to make the score 3-1. De Vanna’s brace moved her ahead of Kate Gill as the Matildas’ all-time leading goalscorer, with 42.

Caitlin Foord and Brazil's Leticia battle for the ball. Picture: AP

Australia maintained the rage, with star midfielder Gorry beating two defenders and striking a sweet individual goal.

After the break, Foord made it five by latching onto substitute Tameka Butt’s fine through ball and rounding the keeper.

With 10 minutes remaining, Kerr then bustled her way through a bruised Brazilian defence, poking home past Dani Neuhaus.

The only negative for Australia was an ankle injury to Chloe Logarzo, who was taken off in agony in the first half.

Australia’s victory rendered the No. 1-ranked Americans’ late match against Japan irrelevant to the overall tournament result.

The US needed Australia to lose to have any chance to make up a three-goal aggregate deficit.

Match details:

Australia 6 (De Vanna 7’, 34’, Foord 32’ 68’, Gorry 41’, Kerr 82’)

Brazil 1 (Camila 2’)

at Carson’s StubHub Center, Los Angeles.

Sam Kerr celebrates her goal, which put the Matildas up 6-1. Picture: Getty

How the match unfolded:

11.15am: A Matildas triumph

It’s all over, Australia have beaten Brazil 6-1 to claim the inaugural Tournament of Nations.

Lisa De Vanna, right, celebrates with teammates Temeka Butt, left, and Sam Kerr. Picture: AP

CHAMPIONS! 🏆🏆🏆
6-1 #GoMatildas #AUSvBRA #ToN2017 pic.twitter.com/7021iqCh0u

— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) August 4, 2017

11.05am: Sam Kerr adds another

The Matildas star gets a well-deserved goal, brilliantly controlling a cross before beating two defenders to the ball and finishing past the keeper. She is then given the reward of an early spell, replaced by Princess Ibini with seven minutes to play. Matildas 6-1 Brazil

81' | GOOOAALLL @TheMatildas! What a finish from @samkerr1. Unbelievable! 6-1 #GoMatildas #AUSvBRA #ToN2017

— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) August 4, 2017

10.55am: It’s five!

Another goal for Caitlin Foord as Australia pile on against Brazil. It’s safe to say the Tournament of Nations trophy is theirs. Matildas 5-1 Brazil

.@CaitlinFoord has another for The Matildas as she bags her country's fifth of the day. #ToN2017 pic.twitter.com/RBeT90WPmd

— The Women's Game (@TheWomensGame) August 4, 2017

69' | RECAP | It was a great ball from @TamekaButt that released Foord, who rounded the keeper and finished. 5-1 #GoMatildas #AUSvBRA

— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) August 4, 2017

10.45am: Matildas still on top

Just over 30 minutes to go in this match. Australia have not let up on their outgunned opponents, creating several good chances on goal. Only some brave, and at time fortuitous, goalkeeping has denied them. The game has opened up as LA’s afternoon summer heat — it’s still 29C at 5.45pm local time — takes a toll.

10.20am: Respite for the Brazilians

After a tip-on from the keeper onto the crossbar prevents the Matildas from going 5-1 up, Brazil hold on for half-time. It has been a stunning half of football from the Australian women, cutting through their opponents at will. Sam Kerr has dominated, along with Lisa De Vanna. But they have had plenty of help in a fantastic half. Matildas 4-1 Brazil

HT at #AUSvBRA: @TheMatildas lead 4-1 at the half, with goals by @lisadevanna11(2), @CaitlinFoord, @KatrinaGorry, & 2 assists for @samkerr1. pic.twitter.com/Kqh3g9hibL

— U.S. Soccer WNT (@ussoccer_wnt) August 4, 2017

10.15am: Now it’s four

The Matildas are unstoppable now. Midfielder Katrina Gorry goes on a jinking run, beating several defenders and slamming home in the 41st minute. Matildas 4-1 Brazil

That's my roomie @KatrinaGorry 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉@TheMatildas #woohoo #AUSvsBRA

— Michelle Heyman (@Mheyman23) August 4, 2017

10.05am: Another goal for Australia

This time Kerr makes a run down the left flank and feeds Lisa De Vanna, who makes no mistake. Matildas 3-1 Brazil

25' RECAP | @samkerr1 springs the offside trap and presents a perfect cross to @lisadevanna11. 3-1 #GoMatildas #AUSvBRA #ToN2017

— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) August 4, 2017

10am: Matildas hit the lead

Australia have dominated the first half after falling behind, and now they have their reward. Sam Kerr breaks clear down the right and sends in a lovely ball for Caitlyn Foord, who sweeps in a simple goal. Matildas 2-1 Brazil

32' | Straight after @MaccaArnold1's big save, @samkerr1 surges down the right and crosses it to @CaitlinFoord. 2-1 #GoMatildas #AUSvBRA #T

— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) August 3, 2017

9.40am: Scores level

The Matildas aren’t behind for long, equalising after seven minutes as Lisa De Vanna slots home a rebound from her missed penalty. Matildas 1-1 Brazil

The shirt pull that earned Australia a spot-kick

Live: https://t.co/Dnu1Fc3fl7 pic.twitter.com/oxqwetvYfk

— FOX SPORTS Football (@FOXFOOTBALL) August 3, 2017

.@lisadevanna11 joins Kate Gill on 41 goals and is tied as the #Matildas leading goalscorer. #AUSvBRA #ToN2017 pic.twitter.com/rsGkVz558r

— Ann Odong ⚽️📝 (@AnnOdong) August 3, 2017

9.20am: Shocking start

Brazil have stunned Australia with a goal in just the second minute. Matildas 0-1 Brazil

2' | Goal Brazil | Camila opens the scoring after a set-piece catches @TheMatildas napping. 0-1 #GoMatildas #AUSvBRA #ToN2017

— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) August 3, 2017

National anthems. #ToN2017 #AUSvBRA pic.twitter.com/LvsgMCyu2k

— Jake White (@TheJakeWhite) August 3, 2017

The Matildas are out to secure their first piece of silverware in seven years when they face Brazil at the Tournament of Nations.

The Australian national women’s soccer team are battling the ‘Selecao’ in Los Angeles, in a match which will wrap up their campaign in America.

Wins over world No.1 US and No.6 Japan mean Alen Stajcic’s side can claim the inaugural competition with just a draw against Brazil in Carson. It might be a friendly tournament but the uplift of claiming honours would be significant for Australia.

With two major tournaments in the next two years, a squad full of promise is desperate for proof of their progress under Stajcic.

It would also give the Matildas’ world ranking a boost — which would assist in seeding for both the 2018 Asian Cup and 2019 World Cup.

The Matildas last hoisted a trophy at the 2010 Asian Cup.

Australia, who will wear black armbands in respect to legendary football broadcaster Les Murray, who died on Monday.

Hayley Raso, who assisted Sam Kerr for the first goal in Australia’s 4-2 win over Japan, said the Matildas wouldn’t lack for motivation against Brazil. The Brazilians knocked Australia out of the 2016 Olympics at the quarter-final stage.

“It wasn’t the best result so I think there will be a little bit of extra motivation,” she said.

With a goal of consistent efforts front and centre of his mind, Stajcic said he wanted to see a third-straight performance from his team.

“If we want to win World Cups and Olympic Medals we need to put four or five games together,” he said.

“Two is good. We have to be a team that string together five or six. Then we can be a contender.”

Additional reporting: AAP