Matildas defeat Mexico after stunning goals from Raso and Foord

A Matildas star has delivered a stunning piece of individual brilliance to open the scoring in a crucial pre-Olympic test.

Hayley Raso kicks stunning opener.

The Matildas got the job done in one of their final hitouts ahead of the Paris Olympics, which kick off on July 26.

Going up against Mexico at the Toyota Field in San Antonio, Texas, Tony Gustavsson’s troops proved too strong over 90 minutes in front of 7,163 fans.

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While they entered the international friendly missing a host of stars through injury, it mattered little as they secured the 2-0 victory.

Hayley Raso got the party started for the Aussies after finding the back of the net inside the opening 10 minutes.

After a cross found its way to her feet on the edge of the box, she danced her way around an opponent before unleashing from long range.

Her shot proved too good and made its way into the back of the net beyond the outstretched hand of the Mexican keeper.

Hayley Raso kicks stunning opener.

After coming out of the halftime break holding the 1-0 lead, the Matildas put their foot down in the opening 10 minutes as they peppered the Mexican defensive line.

It was all out attack for the Aussies with star playmaker Caitlin Foord producing a moment of individual brilliance to double the advantage.

The 29-year-old wove 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.

“Bloody hell Caitlin Foord,” AAP’s Anna Harrington wrote.

Matildas celebrate the win. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)

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.

It means two games against China — on May 31 and June 3 — will be crucial to assess who should take the depth positions when Australia’s squad is slashed from 23 to 18 for Paris.

11.40am - Mexico’s biggest chance goes begging

A major blunder from Kyra Cooney-Cross gifted the ball to Mexico but they couldn’t cash in with the shot on goal going directly back into the hands of Arnold.

The Mexican players are throwing everything they’ve got at the Aussies but the Matildas defensive line is holding strong and not letting them through.

11.10am - Foord gets the second

It’s been a dominant start to the second half for the Matildas who have been around the Mexican goal constantly.

Several attacks have been halted, but there was no stopping Caitlin Foord after she took the ball on the wing.

As she cut inside and stood outside the penalty box, she pulled the trigger on a brilliant shot that found a home in the corner of the net.

10.45am - Matildas lead 1-0 at halftime

A Hayley Raso goal in the opening 10 minutes was the only bright spot in the first half.

Mexico had far more chances with four shots on target, but Mackenzie Arnold was once again a brick wall as she held firm.

The Matildas had a few moments where they broke through the Mexican defences, but with 10 behind the ball it was always going to be challenging to add to the scoreboard.

10.10am - Raso magic gets the Tillies off and running

The dream start for the Matildas.

Hayley Raso has kicked the opening goal after an attacking run ended with the ball at her feet at the top of the box.

After a little bit of fancy footwork, Raso squared up to goal and slammed it home beyond the outstretched hand of the Mexican keeper.

Everything is ｂｉｇｇｅｒ in Texas, and how BIG was that from Hayley Raso! 🎀@TheMatildas are in the lead inside 9️⃣ minutes as Raso swivels from outside the top of the box to smash it home!#MEXvAUS is LIVE now on Paramount+ 📺 pic.twitter.com/ec4hk909Te

— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) April 10, 2024

9.15am - Gustavsson forced into selection changes

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has been forced to get creative with some selection switches to face Mexico.

Missing defender Clare Hunt and midfielder Katrina Gorry from the team that spanked Uzbekistan 10-0 on February 28, Hayley Raso and Emily van Egmond have been selected in the starting XI.

The surprising selections include the decision to leave Clare Wheeler on the bench and putting captain Steph Catley in a central defender role.

Mary Fowler has retained her spot on the wing.

Kaitlyn Torpey has been selected at left back and Socceroos great Andy Harper said on Channel 10, the utility can earn her spot in the 16-player Olympic squad if she impresses against Mexico.

“It’s a huge vote of confidence,” Harper said.

“It signals that Kaitlyn, depending on how Mexico goes... if you can cut the mustard in this environment, if that press from Mexico eventuates, then you would have to say she is in the 16.

“That’s an early call to go out with. The versatility thing is a big issue.”

Mary Fowler of the Matildas. Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images.

8.30am — Matildas open up on impact of injury crisis

Depth in the Matildas has never been stronger which makes being “available” among the most important factors for players looking to make the Matildas squad for the Paris Olympics, according to star Ellie Carpenter.

Carpenter, who has notched up a decade of games for Australia, is a vice-captain and eyeing off a third Olympics, said despite the injuries the squad was in a “good place” and the depth ensued the push for spots in the squad was on.

“Depth in this squad has just gotten so much better over the past three, four years,” she said.

“I think this is the most depth we’ve had in terms of selection.

“A roster of 16 field players and two goalkeepers [for the Olympics] – everyone’s spot is up for grabs. These players are pushing that and I think it’s really important to have so much depth and to make Tony [Gustavsson] make some really hard decisions.”

Carpenter said the growing demands on the Matildas for club and country made availability, that is being fit and ready to go, a new determining factor in who will wear the green and gold in Paris.

“Being available is the most important thing, to be honest,” she said.

“The Olympics, we know it’s very demanding on the body. Every two days you’re playing, you have to travel, it’s such a tough schedule.”

“We all know that – a majority of us have experienced the Olympics. Being, hopefully my third Olympics is quite crazy, but we kind of know what is head of us.

“That’s why it’s so important to prepare well, physically and mentally is massively important.”

— with NCA NewsWire

Originally published as Matildas defeat Mexico after stunning goals from Raso and Foord