Paris Olympics 2024: Matildas defeat Mexico in friendly, give Tony Gustavsson selection headache
Australia has dominated Mexico in one of their final pre-Olympic clashes - giving coach Tony Gustavsson additional headaches as he tries to whittle down his squad.
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The Matildas delivered a mature performance in testing conditions against Mexico but key questions remain unanswered over fringe squad members three months out from Paris.
Star forward Caitlin Foord orchestrated a 2-0 friendly victory in San Antonio on Wednesday as Australia looked fitter, stronger and more lethal than their world No.31 opponents.
Foord set up the Matildas’ opening goal against the run of play in the ninth minute before she struck with a booming finish early in the second half which appeared to crush Mexico’s resistance.
The 29-year-old weaved her way in from the left hand side before faking a shot with an exaggerated swivel of the hips, which gave her the space to fire a pinpoint shot into the bottom right corner.
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson brought on Brisbane Roar forward Sharn Freier for a national debut in the dying moments but made no other significant moves, after starting Steph Catley in central defence and shifting Kaitlyn Torpey to left-back to cover for the injured Clare Hunt.
Gustavsson said there was doubt over Hunt and Katrina Gorry’s availability for Paris, but he refused to blood centre-back Winonah Heatley or start in-form Everton midfielder Clare Wheeler and instead stuck to known quantities at the level.
Veteran striker Michelle Heyman started and looked important to Australia’s structure as a target forward as she managed to play 62 minutes as the temperature topped 30C early in the game.
Torpey, who has emerged as an Olympics squad bolter after impressing across the pitch, got the nod ahead of Charli Grant to start at left-back, as Cortnee Vine returned to the side as a second-half substitute but missed an easy chance to score after great play by Emily van Egmond found her alone in the box.
RASO AGAINST THE TIDE
Mexico dictated proceedings early with an aggressive high press which regularly forced Australia to defend deep in its defensive third.
Mackenzie Arnold’s composure was tested with several adventurous Mexican attacks demanding quick thinking, but she was as cool-headed as ever and the Matildas made their opponents pay for not capitalising on the scoreboard.
Caitlin Foord got the Matildas their first genuine look at the goals with a classic winding run down the left, and her pass found Hayley Raso on the edge of the box.
Raso turned cleanly on the spot and put just enough heat on her shot into the bottom left corner to force an error from Mexican keeper Esthefanny Barreras for Australia’s first.
There was little experimenting from the Matildas in San Antonio but one new sight was Kyra Cooney-Cross dropping back to take goal kicks.
With Australia determined to play through Mexico’s press from the back, the midfielder played short passes to Arnold to give her a wider range of motion with the ball and more options to try and split the press.
The midfield without Katrina Gorry was tweaked slightly throughout the match - Emily van Egmond started deeper in Gorry’s absence but switched with Mary Fowler into a higher role after the first half-hour.
PARIS OPPONENTS LOCKED IN
The Matildas’ fourth Olympics group opponent was finalised on Wednesday with Zambia to join Germany and the USA after sealing a come from behind aggregate win over Morocco with an extra-time penalty in the final African qualifying game.
The “Copper Queens” are ranked 65th in the world but are emerging as a serious threat after qualifying for their first World Cup last year.
Gustavsson will have to plan carefully to stop superstar striker Barbra Banda, who scored twice in the 2-0 win over Morocco to secure a berth in Paris.
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FULLTIME: MATILDAS PASS MEXICO TEST
The Matildas continue to sharpen up ahead of the Olympics, knocking over a dangerous Mexico outfit 2-0 in one of their final hit-outs before the Paris Games.
Early goals in each half to Hayley Raso and Caitlin Foord were enough to secure the victory, while coach Tony Gustavsson was able to experiment with his lineups in the second half – and will be pleased to have avoided any further additions to his team’s growing injury ward.
Mexico have enjoyed strong results in recent times, including victory over the all-powerful Team USA, but they were well handled by Australia.
Mackenzie Arnold repelled every attack when called upon, while Gustavsson’s supersubs ensured the coach will have many headaches as he aims to whittle down his wider squad down to the 18-strong group he’ll take to Paris in July.
82’ – AUSSIES PLAYING WITH FIRE
Australia 2 – 0 Mexico
Playing out of the back has been treacherous all match, and it almost ruined Australia’s clean sheet.
Some ticky-tacky passing between the Matildas’ back four comes unstuck and leaves Mexico with a clear path to goal.
A powerful shot puts Mackenzie Arnold under some pressure, but it is hit directly at the Aussie shot-stopper and she does what she does best. She stops the shot.
78’ – FOWLER SPURNS GOLDEN CHANCE
Australia 2 – 0 Mexico
A dream chance for Mary Fowler, who has been relatively subdued today, but the midfield star’s header soars clear of the goal.
Ellie Carpenter had sent a glorious cross soaring into the box to finish off an enterprising attack from Australia, and Fowler was left unmarked at the backpost.
She makes contact, but cannot properly get underneath the header and it balloons over the crossbar and lands atop the netting.
That was a cracking chance to put this game to bed.
‘It was there for the taking from Mary Fowler,” says former Matilda Grace Gil in commentary.
65’ – GUSTAVSSON CALLS ON SUPERSUBS
Australia 2 – 0 Mexico
Australia’s play out of the back is pretty nerve-jangling – they’re steadfastly avoiding the long-ball clearances, and are instead playing through their defenders.
It’s worked so far, albeit with some fairly hairy moments that have put Australia’s defence under pressure.
Mexico’s high-press is causing issues, too, but it has created opportunities to play in behind and is giving space for Foord to influence the game.
Cortnee Vine has entered the contest for Gustavsson and has been an instant menace for the Mexican defence.
52’ – GOAL! FOORD ADDS AUSTRALIA’S SECOND
Australia 2 – 0 Mexico
Caitlin Foord has added to Australia’s scoreboard dominance, firing home a superb long-range effort to give the Matildas a 2-0 advantage.
Foord started the movement from the left wing, before taking on the defence, shimmying through before finding herself near the top of the box.
It’s from there that she unleashes a curling shot from distance. That’s a beauty.
It’s her 36th goal on the international stage.
52' Foord doubles our lead!@CaitlinFoord does well to beat her defender and get the shot away.
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) April 10, 2024
🇲🇽 0-2 🇦🇺 #MEXvAUS#Matildaspic.twitter.com/wGf5GEqSax
47’ – VAN EGMOND ALMOST ADDS A SECOND
Australia 1 – 0 Mexico
A poor clearance gifts Australia – and Emily van Egmond – an early sight on goal in this second half.
Van Egmond produces a nice touch to gather, and fires off a quick shot that just evades the keeper’s fingertips…. But also bounces up off the crossbar.
No second goal for the Matildas this time, but a promising start.
It will be interesting to see how Gustavsson uses his bench today, and whether he’s keen to offer anything more than a handful of minutes at the death to the young talent riding the pine.
46’ – SECOND HALF UNDERWAY AMID OLYMPIC REVEAL
They are back on the field in Texas, and the temperature has dropped quickly – plummeting below 30s as this game creeps into the night.
And while we wait for the action to crank up, it’s worth mentioning that Australia’s final Olympic opponent has been confirmed.
Zambia prevailed over Morocco this morning to seal their spot in Paris, alongside Australia, Germany and the USA.
10.50AM, HALFTIME: RASO FIRES MATILDAS TO HALF-TIME LEAD
Australia 1 – 0 Mexico
An interesting half, with Hayley Raso’s goal the only thing to separate these two in this friendly.
But it feels as though Mexico has had the running of this game so far, with Australia’s midfield struggling to make its mark.
Mary Fowler has warmed into the contest after a slow start, but it has been Mexico – largely – who have controlled the midfield battle.
It hasn’t yet translated onto the scoreboard, but the hosts have had five shots on goal to Australia’s two.
One of those two, of course, was Raso’s long-range effort that opened the scoring inside the opening ten minutes. A fine strike, and just reward for her all-energy impact on this contest.
38’ – ARNOLD HOLDS ONTO AUSSIE CLEAN SHEET
Australia 1 – 0 Mexico
Mexico are peppering the Australian goal right now – so much so that Mackenzie Arnold has just been taken to ground by midfielder Maricarmen Reyes in a rugby-style tackle.
There was nothing untoward about the challenge, but rather just how things ended up after Arnold defused another dangerous, lingering cross before colliding with Reyes who threw out her arms to protect herself.
It’s been a common theme of the past few minutes, with Australia’s players staying on the ball a little too much, getting a touch careless and leaving room for Mexico to apply pressure.
But there have been few clear-cut chances to capitalise on and even the most teasing of crosses have been well handled by Arnold.
30’ DRINKS BREAK:
Australia 1 – 0 Mexico
We pause for a drinks break, as players battle through these warm conditions.
It’s been a busy contest with both players prioritising attacking raids in the energy-sapping heat.
But Australia continues to find space on the flanks, with Ellie Carpenter bursting down the right just before the drinks break – before attempting to fire in a cross for Michelle Heyman.
Her radar is off, however, and it looks more like a shot on goal that sails harmlessly high and wide.
20’ - MATILDAS GIVE FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Australia 1 – 0 Mexico
This has been an end-to-end contest, and you wonder how many questions it is answering for Tony Gustavsson.
He promised – or at least strongly hinted at - experimenting with his lineup today, and then delivered a more or less traditional starting XI.
Kaitlin Torpey is one of the Matildas getting more of a chance thanks to injury, and she’s been targeted throughout the contest by the Mexican attacks.
But she’s held firm, to date.
9’ – GOAL! RASO FIRES AUSTRALIA IN FRONT
Australia 1 – 0 Mexico
A dream start for Australia and Tony Gustavsson!
Caitlin Foord surges down the left flank before cutting back to Hayley Raso, who is stationed at the top of the box.
The Real Madrid star pivots on the spot, turns and fires from outside the box.
It’s a long, snaking shot but Mexico’s Esthefanny Barreras fumbles the save attempt and it creeps into the back of the net.
That’s the perfect start for Australia, coming from one of their most experienced and accomplished stars.
9' We have the opener!@HayleyRaso gets her shot away from just inside the box to put us in the lead!
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) April 10, 2024
🇲🇽 0-1 🇦🇺 #MEXvAUS#Matildaspic.twitter.com/mcA2shok9H
7’ - ARNOLD SAVES AUSTRALIA’S BLUSHES EARLY
0-0
It’s been a very open start to this clash – bordering on loose, you might suggest.
But this is a day which is less about the scoreline and more about ironing out some kinks in an injury-affected squad.
Captain Steph Catley put her keeper, Mackenzie Arnold, under pressure with an under-hit back pass which invited pressure from the Mexican striker.
But the Australian star is up to the task and keeps the sheets clean. For now.
10AM: AUSTRALIA READY THEMSELVES IN TEXAN HEAT
It’s a hot old day in Texas, and that’s exactly what Tony Gustavsson likes it.
Everything he is trying to learn from this week is geared towards steeling his team for Paris.
And that extends beyond team selection and formations – Gustavsson is keen to make his players sweat and see who thrives in the 31-degree Texas heat.
With the bulk of his team currently playing in the depths of the English winter, it could take some getting used to.
“We want to prepare that. It would be hot in Paris at the Olympics so we really need to know when to rest with the ball or rest without the ball,” Gustavsson told Channel 10.
“We are high octane team and want to play with intensity - we can’t do that in 90 minutes with the heat. We need to (learn) when we are intense and when we take rest.”
9.45AM: INJURIES AT PLAY FOR MATILDAS
Time is running out for several Matildas to press their case for the Olympics – but the opportunity is there, with coach Tony Gustavsson struggling with a recent injury crisis as he mulls the final make-up of his 18-strong squad.
Already without key defender Clare Hunt (foot) and veteran midfield star Katrina Gorry (ankle), Gustavsson has had to make do without the likes of Aivi Luik (hamstring), Chloe Logarzo (hip) and Courtney Nevin (hip) – and that was before Emily Gielnik hurt her calf in camp this week.
It will lead to some experimentation today, Gustavsson said pre-game. Though he remains optimistic that Hunt, Luik and Gorry will still be available for the Olympics in July.
9.30AM: HEYMAN STARTS UP FRONT FOR MATILDAS
Michelle Heyman will get another chance to push her case for an Olympics berth after being named to start in a strong Matildas lineup for their friendly against Mexico.
Heyman earned a surprise call-up to the national team in February, after years on the sideline, following the devastating ACL injury to talismanic star Sam Kerr.
And she’s taken that opportunity with both hands, scoring crucial goals against Uzbekistan to secure Australia – and possibly herself – a spot in Paris.
Steph Catley will again captain the team, which boasts the likes of World Cup stars Mary Fowler, Mackenzie Arnold, Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso.
Kick-off today is at 10am AEST.
9AM: FOWLER’S WARNING AHEAD OF OLYMPICS
Matildas superstar Mary Fowler says she feels more part of the team and in a far better position to contribute to a medal tilt in Paris than at her first Olympic Games.
Fowler, who at only 18 was one of Australia’s youngest Olympians in Tokyo, said she felt “lucky” to have made that squad but this time was determined to showcase all of her ability at the tournament.
Speaking ahead of the Matildas’ important friendly against Mexico on Wednesday in San Antonio, Texas, Fowler said she was a more mature player armed with more self-belief than three years ago.
Fowler credited her difficult start to the WSL season with Manchester City for some of that growth, as she said there were benefits to a prolonged stint coming off the bench.
Now back in City’s starting line-up after struggling for minutes in the lead-up to the Matildas’ Olympic qualifiers, Fowler said the period had reinforced her high training standards and the belief she could perform whenever called upon.
“I think for me what was important was in the trainings even at club, I always tried to bring my best to that, and I always felt like even if I wasn’t playing, I was deserving of it, and I was still able to be at that level (off the bench) because I wasn’t any ‘less’ than the players that were starting,” Fowler said.
“The belief in myself was still very much there, so coming into the national team I still thought very positively about myself and about my abilities on the field, so when I got the chance to be on field playing again, it seemed like nothing had really changed.
“I was just training like how I would play, so I didn’t feel like I needed any luck out there, it was just building on that consistency.”
Fowler said she was enjoying living in Manchester and playing with a “very nice team” and was pleased by the balance she had struck between football and her life outside the game.
“Obviously, it’s been a change for me not being able to play as much as I’d probably hoped for, but I think that’s part of it,” she said.
“That’s football, and to see how that’s kind of shaped me as a person has been nice.
“I’ve just really enjoyed being there, and I think I have become a better player from joining that club and now I have the chance to be starting for them and playing, and I do see how much more prepared and mature I am as a player right now than I was compared to last season.”
Fowler said she was equally excited about playing in Paris as she was in the build-up to the Tokyo Olympics but this time felt less like a tourist and more like a player ready to leave a major impact on the tournament.
“I think I’m just as excited, but I feel like I can bring more to the team this time. I feel like I’ve had the chance to show my inner value and qualities to the team over the last few years more so than I did before the last Olympics,” she said.
“I think that’s what fuels my belief in myself that this time around I can bring a lot more to the team than I was able to last time.
“The last Olympics, I just felt really lucky to be there … I didn’t really see myself as a player that would be able to bring heaps to the team.
“If I sat on the bench for all of it and got one minute, I’d still be super happy, you know. I think I can have a bit more of an impact this time round.”
Originally published as Paris Olympics 2024: Matildas defeat Mexico in friendly, give Tony Gustavsson selection headache
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