Matildas vs. France: Australia win World Cup friendly 1-0 after Mary Fowler goal
The Matildas have put rival nations on notice, upsetting France in the perfect send-off for the Women‘s World Cup after a Mary Fowler goal proved the difference.
Australia has been sent off to the World Cup in style after a classy finish from young gun Mary Fowler secured a 1-0 victory over France in front of a record home crowd.
More than 50,000 fans flocked to Marvel Stadium as the Matildas brought the frantic brand of football they had promised against the fifth-ranked Les Bleues.
Fowler’s calm left-foot finish after a brilliant run and cutback from Hayley Raso in the 66th minute was lapped up by her teammates and the raucous home fans, but both sides will be disappointed after injuries marred proceedings.
French winger Selma Bacha appeared to suffer a serious ankle injury in stoppage time and was stretchered off in tears with her dream of a first World Cup in tatters, while Tameka Yallop will also face a nervous wait after hyperextending her knee during the second half, forcing her from the field only 20 minutes after she had entered as a substitute.
The Matildas looked the more threatening team for most of the first half but failed to complete their passes in the final third, only managing two shots at goal.
Caitlin Foord danced around French defenders several times in a warning shot to Australia’s World Cup opposition, but failed to finish her work as Hayley Raso and Cortnee Vine encountered similar issues despite burning their opponents with their speed.
Alanna Kennedy was paired with Clare Hunt in central defence for the first time and played nearly 80 minutes, suggesting the Man City defender has bounced back from a horror spate of injuries well enough to win back her starting spot from fellow veteran Clare Polkinghorne.
ENOUGH WIDTH?
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson was adamant when announcing the final World Cup squad that he had sufficient replacements on the bench for every position in his new 4-4-2 system, but questions will remain on whether his side will lose some bite late in games if Raso and Vine need to be substituted.
Yallop replaced Vine on the left during the second half but only lasted 20 minutes before succumbing to a knee injury, while Kyra Cooney-Cross was shifted out to the right with Emily van Egmond filling her post in central midfield.
The speed of Australia’s wingers may make them irreplaceable but Fowler’s excellent performance will give Gustavsson confidence he can shift Foord out wide when needed without compromising the Matildas’ firepower.
BATHURST BUDDIES EXCEL
Carpenter and Clare Hunt grew up playing representative football together in western NSW, and while their paths to this World Cup have differed greatly, their chemistry was on show as they shut down France’s dangerous left-side combination of Selma Bacha and Kenza Dali.
Hunt had a hairy moment early when a heavy touch almost gifted France a goal, but was otherwise clean and confident once again in just her sixth international, making a crucial block on a booming shot from Grace Geyoro in the 20th minute.
Carpenter said on Thursday the pair gave each other confidence when they took the field alongside each other, and their contribution to a clean sheet will instil huge belief leading into the tournament.
QUIET NIGHT FOR CAPTAIN KERR
Sam Kerr had some nice moments with the ball at her feet in the first half but struggled for quality supply as she played 60 minutes of the match.
The Matildas talisman was left to rue a decision to pass instead of shoot after a fantastic run past two French defenders in the 36th minute, but her displays of speed and power will give Irish defenders some sleepless nights ahead of Thursday’s match.
Our rolling coverage of the Matildas World Cup warm-up match against France below.
– TILLY WERNER
9:31pm FULL TIME – Matildas 1 France 0
A huge win for the Matildas against the world’s No.5 team, which will do wonders for the Australians’ confidence as they head into their opening World Cup match next Thursday.
Sam Kerr, who was rested for the final half-hour was all business after the match, with eyes firmly on the home tournament.
“This was all about the journey and building confidence for next week,” Kerr told Channel 10 after the match.
“It’s nice to show it in front of a big crowd and get everyone excited.”
The Matildas showed their versatility in attack, with Mary Fowler scoring the matches sole goal without key attacker Sam Kerr on the field – as well as their strength in defence, with four different players lining up in the back line.
9:26pm 90+5” Matildas 1 France 0
Worrying signs for Les Bleus as Selma Bacha comes down hard on her ankle after a challenge from Hayley Raso. It will be a nervous wait for her teammates as they hope for her return ahead of their opening match against Jamaica.
9:20pm 90” Matildas 1 France 0 – Substitution
France switch out Toletti for Real Madrid attacker Naomie Feller as they hope for a last minute opportunity to draw level.
9:17pm 86” Matildas 1 France 0 – Consider the bus parked
The Matildas line up with five at the back as they look to hold the lead and the momentum heading into the match with Ireland.
Yallop has head into the tunnels and looks very gingerly as the physios will take a closer look at her iced-up knee.
9:13pm 82” Matildas 1 France 0 – Substitution
Yallop gives in and Australian fans will spend a week holding their breath as they hope to see her return to full fitness. Matildas mainstay Aivi Luik comes into the game.
9:11pm 79” Matildas 1 France 0 – Substitution
Clare Polkinghorne returns to international football, earning her 157th cap for the Matildas (the all-time leader in appearances) as she takes over from Alanna Kennedy in central defence.
Courtney Nevin has subbed in for Steph Catley as she looks to build confidence going into the game.
Le Garrec comes on as Dali heads to the bench for France.
9:06pm 75” Matildas 1 France 0 – Yallop soldiers on
A nervous moment as Yallop hyper-extends her knee in an ugly challenge. She soldiers on looking very uncomfortable.
9:05pm 74” Matildas 1 France 0 – Matildas make history with turn out
50,629! The Matildas have demolished their previous home attendance record with an incredible fan turn out at Marvel!
Melbourne turned UP ðŸ‘ðŸ‘ðŸ‘#AUSvFRA#Matildashttps://t.co/zvgjGqxQyEpic.twitter.com/S8yr585oUE
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) July 14, 2023
8:57pm 66” Matildas 1 France 0 – GOOOOOAAAAALLLLLL!
Mary Fowler sends the Aussies in front!
A perfect finish from Fowler and her tenth goal in green-and-gold as she finishes off a fine run up the right from Hayley Raso with the games opening goal!
A massive breakthrough for the Matildas and a crucial goal for Mary Fowler’s confidence as she looks for more time on the park.
MARYYYYYYYYYYYYY
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) July 14, 2023
Mary Fowler puts us 1-0 up, with Raso squaring the ball to find an unmarked Fowler.
🇦🇺 1-0 🇫🇷 #AUSvFRA#Matildaspic.twitter.com/fKMavyl4eL
8:54pm 62” Matildas 0 France 0 – Matildas substitution
Gustavsson switches up his front line with Sam Kerr coming off for Emily van Egmond and Caitlin Foord switching with Tameka Yallop. Great to see Yallop back in the Matildas line-up, after she came from the field in the Matildas 2-0 win over the Lionesses in April.
The Matildas will hope the changes can provide a different approach to goal with France leading the shot count 11-2.
8:50pm 57” Matildas 0 France 0
A dangerous challenge from Catley in the box results in penalty cries from the French being waved away by the Japanese referee.
8:49pm – 56” Matildas 0 France 0
More promising signs from the Matildas midfield as Gorry and Carpenter string some passes together in a threatening passage of play, before Raso sends a shot sailing over the crossbar.
8:41pm – 51” Matildas 0 France 0
France have had the run of play early in the second half, looking more to goal and controlling the play through the middle. It’s much to the chagrin of a frustrated Gorry, who surrendered a free kick in the middle that France could have made better use of but they send a shot wide.
8:37pm – 46” SECOND HALF Matildas 0 France 0
Cortnee Vine has made way for Mary Fowler as Gustavsson swaps pace for precision at the half. Fowler will take over striking duties as Foord moves wide. Lyon attacker Cascarino has come off the French bench for De Almeida. Big second 45 coming up.
8:21pm – 45+3” Matildas 0 France 0 – HALF TIME
The Matildas have troubled the French backline but asked little of Les Bleus keeper Peyraud-Mangin in a tense opening half at Marvel Stadium.
There’s been plenty of action but the Australians have lacked a little execution with some haphazard passing and reactive play.
While France have had the better opportunities and lead the shots-on-target count, Mackenzie Arnold, Steph Catley and Clare Hunt have proved impenetrable in the Matildas defensive efforts.
Caitlin Foord has continued her penetrating form in the frontline, while Sam Kerr has been a little quieter by her side, looking to create rather than capitalise on opportunities.
Tony Gustavsson will be hoping for a little more out of his midfield duo, with Cooney-Cross and Gorry struggling to get a hold of play through the centre.
8:15pm – 43” Matildas 0 France 0 – Hunt gathering for Matildas in the backline
Clare Hunt is showing her worth in the backline and is getting plenty of work as the Matildas’ last line of defence as the French continue to find different avenues into their final third.
Karchaoui is also the first booking of the match for a clumsy attempt on Caitlin Foord but Catley is unable to deliver a meaningful ball into the box from the resulting free.
CLARE HUNT with the crucial stop!
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) July 14, 2023
🇦🇺 0-0 🇫🇷 #AUSvFRA#Matildaspic.twitter.com/EVARIvwPQM
8:07pm – 35” Matildas 0 France 0 – France with a chance
Both teams are momentarily down to ten as Steph Catley and French midfielder Diani have a head clash mid-air. France make the better of the opportunity with a good passage of play but the shot fizzles with some important defensive work from Clare Hunt.
7:57pm – 26” Matildas 0 France 0 – Foord looking fierce
Caitlin Foord has the best opportunity yet for the Matildas in an important showing that Sam Kerr isn’t the Australians’ only avenue to goal. She beats one of the world’s best defenders before releasing a shot that doesn’t worry French goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.
7:52pm – 20” Matildas 0 France 0
Mackenzie Arnold is called into action for the first time and is quick to deny France an opportunity. France unable to make anything of the game’s opening corner.
Wondering if France may mistake Arnold (and her purple kit) for one of their own if she makes a run up the pitch...
7:51pm – 19” Matildas 0 France 0 – Early chance for the Matildas
A chance goes begging for Cortnee Vine who looks a little hesitant to release the trigger. France has begun to look a little more composed, holding the ball and showing their usual finesse.
7:42pm – 10” Matildas 0 France 0 – Early chance for the Matildas
Caitlin Foord earns a free kick and Katrina Gorry sends a glancing free kick just over the back post. Nervous signs for France as the Matildas have the majority of early chances.
7:37pm – 6” Matildas 0 France 0
Some early chances for the Australians who are making great use of their pace on the width, but are unable to get anything meaningful into their strikers as of yet.
Cortnee Vine’s pace won’t stay secret for long.
7:30pm – WE’RE OFF!
Expect plenty of action up the Carpenter-Raso flank when Australia go forward! Australia are sporting their new home kit while the French look more Les Violets than Les Bleus in their gear.
7:10pm – The French threat
France will be a formidable force at the World Cup, as the No.5 ranked side and one of Europe’s powerhouses of domestic football.
While they have faced their share of off-field challenges this year, the stability that captain Wendie Renard provides to the team, combined with the experience of new coach (and personal side note – one of the most handsome men in world football) Herve Renard is, is crucial to French chances.
Renard coached Saudi Arabia to a significant upset at the Qatar FIFA World Cup in 2022 when his team defeated eventual champions Argentina in the group stage.
France have also done the Matildas a significant favour, in facing the Australians’ Group B opponents Republic of Ireland in a tune-up match last week.
France dispatched the Irish 3-0, a result the Matildas would love to replicate when they meet in Australia’s World Cup opener.
France and Australia have faced off on seven previous occasions, with the results split evenly. Three wins apiece and a draw.
Focus 👀 @Herve_Renard_HRpic.twitter.com/2SARkRMgmE
— Equipe de France Féminine (@equipedefranceF) July 13, 2023
6:50pm – Gustavsson: “Good indicator of the finishing line-up”
Tony Gustavsson clearly has a 90-minute World Cup plan in mind.
The Matildas coach has indicated that the team that faces France won’t just be an important litmus test for his starting XI players but also an indication of how he uses his bench.
“It will be a good indicator of the starting line-up but also the finishing line-up [against Ireland],” Gustavsson said in the lead up to the match with France.
Alanna Kennedy returns to the starting squad after a prolonged run of injuries and will partner Clare Hunt in the backline – a debut pairing in centre defence.
Kyah Simon, however, is unlikely to feature.
“She’s [Simon] still not ready to play many minutes but we’re working on an individual plan for her and we selected her as a game-changer,” Gustavsson said.
6:15pm – No surprises as Gustavsson names his likely World Cup starters
Mackenzie Arnold has cemented herself as the likely goalkeeper to start against the Republic of Ireland as she takes No.1 responsibilities in the Matildas send-off match against France.
Captain Sam Kerr leads a strong Matildas line-up as they take on fifth placed France, who are favoured to go deep into the women’s FIFA World Cup.
Tony Gustavsson has also named Cup debutants Cortnee Vine, Clare Hunt and Kyra Cooney-Cross in his starters to face Les Bleus.
Matildas who entered the camp nursing injuries, including Clare Polkinghorne, Tameka Yallop and Kyah Simon have all been named on the bench, with Gustavsson suggesting they are likely to see limited minutes in tonight’s warm-up match.
MATILDAS STARTING XI
18. Mackenzie Arnold (GK)
5. Cortnee Vine
7. Steph Catley
9. Caitlin Foord
14. Alanna Kennedy
15. Clare Hunt
16. Hayley Raso
19. Katrina Gorry
20. Sam Kerr (C)
21. Ellie Carpenter
23. Kyra Cooney-Cross
FRANCE STARTING XI
16. Pauline Peyraud-Magnin (GK)
2. Maëlle Lakrar
3. Wendie Renard (C)
5. Élisa De Almeida
7. Sakina Karchaoui
8. Grâce Geyoro
9. Eugénie Le Sommer
11. Kadidiatou Diani
13. Selma Bacha
14. Aïssatou Tounkara
15. Kenza Dali
Matildas coach admits they’re ‘vulnerable’
The Matildas will get an unforgettable World Cup send-off with more than 50,000 fans expected to attend the sold-out farewell match at Marvel Stadium on Friday night where they take on France.
The crowd will eclipse the previous record at an Australian women’s football match of 36,109, set in 2021 when they hosted the USA in Sydney.
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has welcomed the opportunity to play a side he has had little dealing with.
“France is one of the few (top) teams that we haven’t played under my tenure. So I’m really happy to get the chance to do that as well,” he said.
“When it comes to why we’re playing France, it’s part of the bigger plan that we’ve prepped for, for years — meaning we need to play top opposition, European opposition, and make sure that we measure ourselves against those top teams.”
Looking ahead to the World Cup which gets underway next Thursday, Gustavsson admits his side’s “in your face” style could prove costly at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Intent on his side playing a pressing game, Gustavsson has been relentless in preparing the Matildas ahead of their opening match of the tournament next Thursday against Ireland in Sydney.
“We’ve been in a performance bubble for about a month with some of these players now,” said the 49-year-old Swede.
“They’ve been training extremely hard. We ran them hard. We know we want to play a pressing game, play intense and attack a lot, so it takes a lot of running, so we ran them hard.”
Gustavsson made no apologies for the pressing tactics despite the likelihood that it could leave the Matildas vulnerable.
“We’re always going to be an ‘in your face’ kind of team, no matter who we’re playing, (even) if it’s a top-ranked team,” he said.
“We’re going to use that Aussie spirit and the high-pressing game in attack. “It might cost us a goal or two, but then we need to score more.”
Veteran Matildas defender Clare Polkinghorne praised Gustavsson’s attention to detail in preparing Australia for the World Cup.
“He’s always thinking of ways to improve and what he can do better, and he likes to have things organised,” the Matildas’ most-capped player said.
“That’s the type of coach he is. He knows what he wants and he comes up with detailed plans of how to get there.”
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