30 mins:Steph Catley charges down the left and earns a foul alongside the penalty box. A lengthy build up leads to an anti-climax as the free kick fails to clear the Argentina defenders in the box. TheMatildashave wasted all of their similar opportunities so far.
27 mins:TheMatildaslook unsettled after Argentina found a goal out of relatively nothing. Neither side is able to hold onto the ball as it bounces between the two midfields.
Kishi Nũnez levels with a well-timed run after theMatildasdefence is opened up with a simple ball forward from the midfield. Natasha Prior was casually chasing down the through ball until spotting Nũnez coming around her right, but a desperate dive from the defender missed the ball and left Teagan Micah with little chance of saving the shot.
22 mins:TheMatildaswork their way forward slowly without taking too many risks. A clever corner formation almost opens up an opportunity but Catley’s cross inside the box is blocked and cleared.
20 mins:A pair of robust Argentina challenges catch the eye of the referee before the visitors enjoy their first extended period of time on the ball since before the opener. They go searching for a gap around the top of the box but Clare Wheeler intervenes and earns a timely foul.
17 mins:All the momentum is with theMatildasafter Sayer’s opener as the hosts continue to play with attacking intent that is testing the Argentina defence.
Amy Sayer makes a stunning return to the starting line up for the first time in 549 days as she opens the scoring with a classy, composed finish into the far corner. Argentina are left pointing at each other after failing to clear the danger while giving Sayer far too much room. Kahli Johnson picks out her teammate for an assist to go with a goal in her debut on Friday.
12 mins:Nevin plays an early cross in search of Van Egmond charging into the box. Argentina keeper Solana Pereyra – who returns after missing the first friendly due to a previous red card – comes to collect. Caitlin Foord and Aldana Cometti come together and the Argentina captain is left on the turf.
10 mins:Courtney Nevin is getting into good areas deep in the attacking half. The defender picks out Amy Sayer in the box but the blur of fast feet aren’t enough to find a way through.
8 mins:Kahli Johnson makes a darting run through the centre of the pitch until dispossessed as Argentina quickly find space down the right. A dangerous cross is cleared by Charli Grant who has made a strong start in front of her future national team boss.
5 mins:Argentina drive forward for the first time but the Matildas’ high line holds firm to eliminate the danger with a clear offside call.
3 mins:TheMatildasattack down the left side again and almost find an opener as an Argentina clearance falls to Charli Grant at the top of the penalty box. The right-back’s hurried shot sails over the cross bar.
1 min:TheMatildaswin the ball back immediately from the kick off and Clare Wheeler makes a scything run toward the corner flag. The midfielder is brought to ground and goes searching for a free kick but referee Supiree Testhomya points for a goal kick.
Peeeeeeeeeeeeep!
The national anthems are complete, team photos have been taken and Argentina are about to kick offMatildasinterim coach Tom Sermanni’s last match in charge.
The nextMatildascoach Joe Montemurro is at GIO Stadium in Canberra to watch his new side take on Argentina.
La Albiceleste:Solana Pereyra (gk), Romina Nũnez, Sophia Braun, Aldana Cometti (capt), Milagros Martin, Maricel Pereyra, Vanina Preininger, Evelyn Sofia Dominguez, Maria Florencia Bonsegundo, Yamila Rodriguez, Kishi Nũnez
Kieran Pender is braving the elements in an outdoor press box at GIO Stadiumand all set to report on the historic game between theMatildasand Argentina. Thanks for taking one for the team, Kieran!
Joe Montemurro comes with the strongest of pedigrees in women’s football and might have been in charge of theMatildasmuch sooner if not for mis-steps and hesitation by Football Australia.Joey Lynchlooks at why it took FA so long to turn to a decorated Australian candidate who “had a bigcome and get mebanner effectively floating over the top of his head”.
Ten months of uncertainty ended when the worst kept secret was finally revealed and Football Australia unveiled Joe Montemurro as the nextMatildascoach.
The former Lyon boss will have only 10 months to prepare the Matildas for a Women’s Asian Cup on home soil but the short runway is something he isn’t going to shy away from.
“You’re not going to see it straight away, you’ll see little dribs and drabs coming through, but the most important thing is to have it ready and understanding for the big tournaments,” the new Matildas coach said during the announcement in Sydney today.
Australia:Teagan Micah (gk); Charlotte Grant, Courtney Nevin, Natasha Prior, Steph Catley (capt); Clare Wheeler, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Emily Van Egmond; Caitlin Foord, Amy Sayer, Kahli Johnson
TheMatildascall on their Champions League winners with Steph Catley back to lead the side while Kyra Cooney-Cross takes charge in the midfield and Caitlin Foord returns to the frontline.
Kahli Johnson holds her spot after scoring on debut against Argentina last Friday, but perhaps the most stirring story is saved for Amy Sayer who makes her first start for the Matildas for 549 days after overcoming a serious knee injury.
Hello andwelcome to live coverage of thewomen’s international friendly between Australia and Argentinaat GIO Stadium in Canberra. The match has become almost a sideshow following the confirmation today thatJoe Montemurro will guide the Matildas into a new eraand toward next year’s Women’s Asian Cup on home soil.
The 10 months of uncertainty around theMatildascoming to a close also allows interim coach Tom Sermanni to finally sign off from his third tenure in charge. The 70-year-old will coach Australia for the 151st and surely final time in tonight’s match against La Albiceleste as his side set out to ensure Argentina don’t spoil the party. Sermanni has led the side through a period of transition after Tony Gustavsson’s reign ended with an early exit from the Paris Olympics, with some of the emerging talents and fringe players to be given more opportunities under Sermanni to feature again this evening.
The Matildas might be content with a repeat of their promising performance in the2-0 win over Argentina last Friday, though with several newly-decorated stars well rested after watching that game in Melbourne from the sidelines, the scene is set for the side to instead celebrate Sermanni’s farewell game in style.
Kick-off is at 7.30pm AEST. I’ll be back shortly with the line-ups and team news.
In the meantime, get in touch with any questions, thoughts and predictions. You canshoot me an email, or find me on X@martinpeganand Bluesky@martinpegan.bsky.social. Let’s get into it!