The Australian women’s national soccer team, the Matildas, triumphed over Mexico with a 2-0 win in a fast-paced friendly match held in San Antonio, Texas. Goals from Hayley Raso and Caitlin Foord secured the victory against a tenacious and energetic Mexican side that employed a high-pressing strategy.
Matildas’ Tactical Approach and First-Half Dominance
Matildas’ head coach Tony Gustavsson fielded a familiar starting lineup, with Steph Catley filling in for the injured Clare Hunt at center-back and Kaitlyn Torpey starting at left-back. Emily van Egmond partnered with Kyra Cooney-Cross in midfield, while Michelle Heyman led the attack in the absence of Sam Kerr.
From the outset, the game was a high-octane affair. Mexico’s pressing tactics, a key reason Gustavsson chose this match as preparation for upcoming tournaments, were evident immediately. Australia’s commitment to playing through the press led to some nervy moments but ultimately paid dividends. In the 9th minute, Caitlin Foord’s skillful run on the left flank created space for Hayley Raso, who showcased impressive footwork before slotting a low shot past Mexican goalkeeper Esthefanny Barreras.
Despite conceding, Mexico maintained a relentless press, forcing the Matildas to play primarily in their own defensive third. Though Mexico didn’t create many clear-cut chances, their constant pressure tested Australia’s ability to build from the back. Ellie Carpenter played a crucial role on the right wing, providing an outlet to relieve the pressure. Alexia Delgado of Tigres UANL posed the most significant threat for Mexico, but the Matildas held firm to maintain their one-goal advantage going into halftime. Notably, Australia boasted an impressive 84.3% passing accuracy in the first half, their second-highest in eight years, a testament to their composure under pressure.
Second-Half Performance and Foord’s Clinical Finish
Australia started the second half with increased intensity. Early chances fell to Mary Fowler and Emily van Egmond as the Matildas took control of the game. Caitlin Foord then doubled Australia’s lead with a signature move, cutting in from the left, deceiving her defender, and unleashing a perfectly curled shot into the far corner.
Mexico continued to push for a goal, with substitute Jasmine Casarez coming closest in the 57th minute, her shot striking the side netting. She had another opportunity later, following a turnover in Australia’s defense, but her effort was straight at goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.
Around the hour mark, Gustavsson made a triple substitution, introducing Clare Polkinghorne, Cortnee Vine, and Clare Wheeler for Steph Catley, Hayley Raso, and Michelle Heyman, respectively. This tactical shift saw van Egmond move upfront, while Wheeler joined Cooney-Cross in midfield.
Excellent interplay between Vine, van Egmond, and Carpenter almost resulted in a third goal for Australia, but Fowler couldn’t quite control her header from Carpenter’s cross. Late substitutions saw Charli Grant replace Kaitlyn Torpey and Sharn Freier make her debut, replacing Kyra Cooney-Cross.
Conclusion: A Valuable Win for the Matildas
The match against Mexico proved to be a valuable exercise for the Matildas, allowing them to test their tactics and refine their game ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics. The 2-0 victory showcased the team’s resilience under pressure, their ability to play through a high press, and their clinical finishing. The experience gained from this encounter will undoubtedly serve them well in future competitions.
