The Matildas have pulled off a stunning 2-0 victory over England, bringing an end to the Lionesses’ 30 match winning streak in West London.
On Wednesday morning (AEDT) Sam Kerr scored for Australia in the 32nd minute, putting Australia ahead 1-0 at half-time. Kerr then set up Charlotte Grant for her first international goal for the Matildas in the second half.
Grant met Kerr’s right cross with an epic header, which bounced past England’s goalkeeper Mary Earps. The celebration for the 21-year-old’s first international goal was massive.
The victory was a big effort for the Matildas, with key experienced players like Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley and Alanna Kennedy sidelined with injuries. Before the match, coach Tony Gustavsson labelled the match against England as “one of the toughest challenges” for the Matildas.
The match was a ‘friendly’ ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which is due to get underway in Australia and New Zealand in July. The Matildas have one more game against France before the tournament begins.
There are now 99 days to go until the World Cup, which will be the biggest women’s sporting event in the world. It’s the first time it has ever been hosted in the southern hemisphere, and the Asia-Pacific region.
Women’s Agenda recently spoke to FIFA’s Chief of Women’s Football Sarai Bareman, who said the tournament will be a key driver of growth for the women’s game in the Asia-Pacific region and across the world.
“We want 60 million women and girls playing our sport by 2026,” she said.