MY ACCOUNT
Sam Kerr led Australia to a 2-0 win over England, snapping the Lionesses’ 30-match unbeaten streak at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The Matildas captain opened the scoring, capitalising on Leah Williamson’s weak header back to keeper Mary Earps by cooly lifting the ball over the stranded shot-stopper.
Charlotte Grant then doubled Australia’s lead in the 67th-minute when her headed effort deflected off the back of Williamson and into the back of the net.
England’s best chance came in the second half from substitute Lauren James whose curled effort was well-saved by Mackenzie Arnold which saw Australia hold onto a clean sheet and win.
Here are the five talking points from the highly-anticipated clash.
Clinical Kerr
Kerr showed why she is one of the most feared finishers in football with her ruthless opener.
Australia’s No20 saw little of the ball in the first half but only needed Williamson’s loose back pass to land in her path for the goal.
Still, the Chelsea marksman did well to remain alert to the situation, not give up chasing down the ball and was subsequently rewarded for her efforts.
She then provided the assist for Australia’s second with a pinpoint cross to Grant to secure victory for her side.
Sloppy start
England started the match far too slowly, lacking intensity and made mistakes that kept them from threatening Arnold’s goal.
The Lionesses’ tepid passing in build-up allowed Australia to hold their 4-4-2 shape to stop Georgia Stanway and Keira Walsh from dictating the tempo.
When moving the ball wide to the wings to circumvent the Matildas’ defence, passes were lagging, and as a result, they created few chances in the opening half.
Subsequently, for the first time England boss Sarina Wiegman was forced to give a team talk with her side trailing the opposition.
But ultimately, they were unable to mount any sort of comeback in the second half.
Night to forget for Williamson
It was a match to forget for England’s captain Williamson, who struggled to contend with Australia’s surging attacks.
The first goal came from her mistake when her header failed to make it back to Earps and was clinically finished by Kerr.
It was the Arsenal defender that deflected the ball into the back of the net for the second ending a disappointing night for the 26-year-old.
After the match, Williamson spoke of her and the teams’ disappointment.
She said: “We looked like we lacked ideas on the ball, and we got punished. It was my mistake for first goal, and they were ruthless on counter.
“Sometimes in football you have those games. We weren’t as efficient as we usually are, we need to figure out why.
“I’m not one for dwelling on personal things, that first goal has made it worse for me but the whole teams feels really rubbish about losing. It hurts.”
Aussie defence
Australia showed their defensive resilience and did well to deny the Lionesses any clear cut opportunities.
Kerr and Mary Fowler set the intentions by putting pressure on Walsh to stop her from playing passes with ease, limiting her ability to pick apart the backline with her accurate balls.
Clare Polkinghorne and Clare Hunt commanded the defence, cutting out any crosses going into the box as well as clearing danger that approached the goal.
Then when called into action Arnold between the sticks executed her saves and actions with a cool confidence that frustrated England.
Unbeaten run snapped
England’s record was finally snapped after a run of 30 games unbeaten that consisted of 26 wins, four draws and 20 clean sheets under Wiegman.
It proved an appropriate test for the Lionesses in the run-up to this summer’s World Cup and a wake-up call given the expectations ahead after their European Championship glory.
However, manager Wiegman was keen to use it as a learning point ahead of the coveted tournament.
She said: “This is the first time we lose, but we always learn. We see things done well and things we have to do better. We have to improve to be at our best at the World Cup. Every game is for learning, and this is a big one.”
