Matildas seal golden victory in their first match back home

The Matildas claimed a morale-boosting 3-1 win over Brazil at a lively CommBank Stadium on Saturday night.

From the very first minutes of the game, the Matildas showed a strong attacking display as they put Brazil under plenty of early pressure.

In the 22nd minute, Brazil’s goalkeeper Letícia Izidoro Lima Da Silva was left with a head injury following a knee straight to the head by Tameka Yallop.

Despite medical staff coming to her aid, she waved off their concerns and continued to play during the first half of the game.

Clare Polkinghore would score the opening goal of the match for the Matildas as she found the back of the net from close range after 37 minutes.

In the 65^th minute, Mary Fowler started off the second half strongly for the Matildas with a quality header into the top left-hand corner and cemented Australia with a 2–0 lead.

Despite many missed opportunities, Adriana eventually scored for Brazil just minutes after Fowler’s goal, which was met with loud screams from their supporters.

In the 78^th minute, Emily Van Egmond scored Australia’s third goal and received high praise from home fans in the crowd.

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Yallop was substituted by Remy Siemsen in the 89^th minute and she continued her side’s push for more goals late in the game.

Although Bruna Santos Nhala was sent off the field with a knee injury in the 92^nd minute, she was brought back on to play the last four minutes of the match with a slight limp.

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With another victory secured under the Matildas’ belt, Brazil can only look ahead to achieve success in the future with their upcoming match on Tuesday night.

Matildas: 3 (Polkinghore ’38, Fowler ’65 and Van Egmond ‘78).

Brazil: 1 (Adriana ’68).

Stadium: CommBank Stadium

Referee: Esther Staubi

Assistant Referees: Susanne Kueng and Linda Schmid

Fourth Official: Désirée  Grundbacher                                                                                      

Matildas: Lydia Williams (1, GK), Clare Polkinghore (4), Steph Catley (7), Caitlin Foord (9), Emily Van Egmond (10), Mary Fowler (11), Tamera Yallop (13), Alanna Kennedy (14), Kyah Simon (17), Jamilla Rankin (15),   Kyra Cooney-Cross (19), Sam Kerr (20, Captain), Ellie Carpenter (21), Teagan Micah (12)

Unused Subs: Teagan Micah (GK), Angela Beard (2), Courtney Nevin (3), Karly Roestbakken (5), Clare Wheeler (6), Charlotte Grant (8), Jamilla Rankin (15), Bryleeh Henry (22), Emma Checker (23)

Brazil: Letícia Izidoro Lima Da Silva (22), Bruna Santos Nhala (2), Erika Cristiano Dos Santos (3), Antonia Ronnycleide Da Costa Silva (4), Tamires Cássia Dias Gomes (6), Andressa Alves Da Silva (7), Giovanna Queiroz Costa (14), Ana Vitória Angélica Kliemaschewsk De Araüjo (16), Ariadina Alves Borges (17), Ludmila Da Silva (19), Kerolin Nicol Israel Ferraz (21)

Unused Subs: Lorena Da Silva Leite (1, GK), Julia Bianchi (5), Angelina Alonso Constantino (8), Débora Cristiane De Oliveira (9), Marta Vieira Da Silva (10), Adriana Leal Da Silva (11), Karen Xavier Hopólito (12), Thaís Cristina Da Silva Ferreira (13), Tainara De Souza Da Silva (15), Katrine Da Silva Costa (18), Maria Eduardo Francelino Da Silva (20)