“,”elementId”:”a5cda9a2-ae08-48b3-850d-0e2cef12b16c”}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1676796879000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”08.54 GMT”,”blockLastUpdated”:1676796908000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”08.55 GMT”,”blockFirstPublished”:1676796910000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”08.55 GMT”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”08.55″,”title”:”Full-time: Australia 3-2 Spain”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Sun 19 Feb 2023 09.09 GMT”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published on Sun 19 Feb 2023 06.23 GMT”},{“id”:”63f1e3398f08bb2550a9af07″,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
With barely a minute left Spain get a second! It’s a slow build-up down the right but Marta Cardona digs out a good cross that Redondo smashes home first time on the volley at the near post. That was a blistering finish.
“,”elementId”:”899581fc-3fd8-4a36-a0a7-4036e1f13c1a”}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1676796729000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”08.52 GMT”,”blockLastUpdated”:1676796865000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”08.54 GMT”,”blockFirstPublished”:1676796866000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”08.54 GMT”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”08.54″,”title”:”GOAL! Australia 3-2 Spain (Redondo 90+4)”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Sun 19 Feb 2023 09.09 GMT”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published on Sun 19 Feb 2023 06.23 GMT”},{“id”:”63f1de9e8f0892f0cefe7ea7″,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Finally Spain hit the scoreboard. A corner from the right is headed to the edge of the box where the Spanish left-back executes a technically brilliant half-volley, angling her body, striking her foot through the ball with power to send it through a forest of legs and beyond Arnold.
“,”elementId”:”ea492b4b-49b9-4691-b7ed-ad5dd8211ccb”}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1676795550000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”08.32 GMT”,”blockLastUpdated”:1676795670000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”08.34 GMT”,”blockFirstPublished”:1676795648000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”08.34 GMT”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”08.34″,”title”:”GOAL! Australia 3-1 Spain (Olga Carmona, 73)”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Sun 19 Feb 2023 09.09 GMT”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published on Sun 19 Feb 2023 06.23 GMT”},{“id”:”63f1d4718f08bb2550a9aeba”,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
A clinical display of counterattacking football from the Matildas against a very skilful Spain. Is this the high-water mark of the Gustavsson reign?
“,”elementId”:”40be37f7-103a-44a2-b86a-990dad5ca3d9″}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1676792945000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”07.49 GMT”,”blockLastUpdated”:1676793011000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”07.50 GMT”,”blockFirstPublished”:1676793012000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”07.50 GMT”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”07.50″,”title”:”Half-time: Australia 3-0 Spain”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Sun 19 Feb 2023 09.09 GMT”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published on Sun 19 Feb 2023 06.23 GMT”},{“id”:”63f1d2de8f0892f0cefe7e78″,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Foord makes it three! Catley with the free-kick, floated in towards the six-yard box, nobody takes control for Spain and Foord steals in to direct her header into the back of the net. Delight for Gustavsson on the bench. The second soft defensive goal for Spain.
“,”elementId”:”496f95c2-eb00-4588-bba9-48e686de14fc”}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1676792542000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”07.42 GMT”,”blockLastUpdated”:1676792627000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”07.43 GMT”,”blockFirstPublished”:1676792627000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”07.43 GMT”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”07.43″,”title”:”GOAL! Australia 3-0 Spain (Foord, 42)”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Sun 19 Feb 2023 09.09 GMT”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published on Sun 19 Feb 2023 06.23 GMT”},{“id”:”63f1ccb68f08bb2550a9ae80″,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Raso’s trickery on the right earns Australia the first corner of the night. Catley’s delivery is good but Australia have to recycle outside the box. The ball eventually goes back in towards Kerr, Marta Carro fails to deal with it and Clare Polkinghorne is on the spot to drill home from five metres out and continue her scoring streak. The Matildas are flying!
“,”elementId”:”a40e4d6e-f6c4-4bdd-be92-d146203f793d”}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1676790966000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”07.16 GMT”,”blockLastUpdated”:1676791126000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”07.18 GMT”,”blockFirstPublished”:1676791127000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”07.18 GMT”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”07.18″,”title”:”GOAL! Australia 2-0 Spain (Polikinghorne, 16)”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Sun 19 Feb 2023 09.09 GMT”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published on Sun 19 Feb 2023 06.23 GMT”},{“id”:”63f1cbd88f08bb2550a9ae7e”,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Australia get the ball quickly to Raso in space down the right, she carries downfield with purpose, cuts inside, spots Vine in space on the left corner of the box, and the Sydney FC star does the rest, curling a perfect right-footed shot right where the owls sleep. Superb finish.
“,”elementId”:”fefc87c1-a465-47cd-9098-851c8a0d06d1″}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1676790744000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”07.12 GMT”,”blockLastUpdated”:1676790875000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”07.14 GMT”,”blockFirstPublished”:1676790876000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”07.14 GMT”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”07.14″,”title”:”GOAL! Australia 1-0 Spain (Vine, 11)”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Sun 19 Feb 2023 09.09 GMT”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published on Sun 19 Feb 2023 06.23 GMT”},{“id”:”63f1c90e8f08826dd5d97963″,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Can the Matildas continue to build momentum towards a World Cup on home soil, or will Spain spoil the party in Parramatta?
“,”elementId”:”a95603c9-2efb-4e96-8204-84a4eb16aa08″}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1676790030000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”07.00 GMT”,”blockLastUpdated”:1676790077000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”07.01 GMT”,”blockFirstPublished”:1676790078000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”07.01 GMT”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”07.01″,”title”:”Kick-off!”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Sun 19 Feb 2023 09.09 GMT”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published on Sun 19 Feb 2023 06.23 GMT”},{“id”:”63f1adfb8f08bb2550a9ae03″,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Even with 15 possible squad members unavailable for selection, La Roja still look formidable on paper.
“,”elementId”:”d2832bd4-a161-4b64-ad8c-574d0f578197″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TweetBlockElement”,”html”:”
🔴 𝗢𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 I Esta es la alineación de España para el partido contra la selección anfitriona.
🇦🇺🆚🇪🇸
📺 Lo puedes seguir en directo en @teledeporte y @rtveplay a las 8:00 (hora española).#JugarLucharYGanar I #CupOfNations pic.twitter.com/8SqwoP8NJj
— Selección Española Femenina de Fútbol (@SEFutbolFem) February 19, 2023
\n”,”url”:”https://twitter.com/SEFutbolFem/status/1627186232353763329?s=20″,”id”:”1627186232353763329″,”hasMedia”:false,”role”:”inline”,”isThirdPartyTracking”:false,”source”:”Twitter”,”elementId”:”8e1fcaa7-a363-4537-9acf-ec4f881551fe”}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1676787834000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”06.23 GMT”,”blockLastUpdated”:1676789065000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”06.44 GMT”,”blockFirstPublished”:1676788681000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”06.38 GMT”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”06.38″,”title”:”Spain XI”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Sun 19 Feb 2023 09.09 GMT”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published on Sun 19 Feb 2023 06.23 GMT”},{“id”:”63f1adf38f08826dd5d978fb”,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Defender Clare Hunt is rewarded for her impressive debut earlier this week with a place in the starting XI. She is one of two inclusions, Caitlin Foord the other, from the side that handled Czechia. Aivi Luik and Mary Fowler miss out.
“,”elementId”:”3298f034-8863-42f9-843c-90718ff96f3c”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TweetBlockElement”,”html”:”
STARTING XI 🗒
Here's how we line up for our second game of the Cup of Nations! 👊
⏰: 6:00pm AEDT
📺💻📱: 10 Bold#WeAreMatildas #CupOfNations #AUSvESP pic.twitter.com/pRRhbBkXCf— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) February 19, 2023
\n”,”url”:”https://twitter.com/TheMatildas/status/1627184297969950720?s=20″,”id”:”1627184297969950720″,”hasMedia”:false,”role”:”inline”,”isThirdPartyTracking”:false,”source”:”Twitter”,”elementId”:”dc60b114-9c84-4696-a31f-78ad51e2f864″}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1676787834000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”06.23 GMT”,”blockLastUpdated”:1676788571000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”06.36 GMT”,”blockFirstPublished”:1676788572000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”06.36 GMT”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”06.36″,”title”:”Australia XI”,”contributors”:[],”primaryDateLine”:”Sun 19 Feb 2023 09.09 GMT”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published on Sun 19 Feb 2023 06.23 GMT”},{“id”:”63eedc308f08bb2550a999fc”,”elements”:[{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of Australia v Spain in the 2023 Cup of Nations. Kick off at Commbank Stadium in Sydney is 6pm AEDT.
“,”elementId”:”26d1bc2b-d67f-42eb-8f58-b3e3b319882a”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
This is the marquee fixture of the six-game round robin tournament, featuring the two highest ranked teams in the competition, each entering buoyed by comprehensive victories a few days ago.
“,”elementId”:”e7af6cfd-589a-45a8-8b35-77cfde6dcd1d”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Spain are seventh on FIFA’s standings, and come into tonight’s match with six victories in their past seven outings, a run including wins over the USA and Japan, and featuring the concession of only one goal. Their last defeat came at the European Championships, an extra-time heartbreaker at the hands of eventual champions England.
“,”elementId”:”c534695d-3668-4312-8026-179ccf1e542c”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
The last time they faced Australia, in June, they scored six second-half goals to run away 7-0 winners. But a repeat scoreline seems unthinkable given the inexperienced squad at Jorge Vilda’s disposal. Top scorer Jennifer Hermoso is one of only two players on tour with over 30 caps, with the list of absentees including superstar Alexia Putellas as she continues her recovery from an ACL injury.
“,”elementId”:”78d8223b-3e14-40a4-ae36-bcd828dd2f71″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
Quite why Spain are so depleted is a long and complicated story. Condensed, in September of last year 15 players declared themselves unavailable for selection, alleging that the “situation” within the national team was having a negative impact on their “emotional state” and their “health”. More from Sid Lowe here:
“,”elementId”:”98b92327-bf21-42f8-9616-47f13f9491b5″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement”,”url”:”https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/sep/23/player-mutiny-exposes-deeper-issues-within-spanish-womens-football”,”text”:”Player mutiny exposes deeper issues within Spanish women’s football | Sid Lowe”,”prefix”:”Related: “,”role”:”thumbnail”,”elementId”:”eaf87349-e104-4dd0-b51e-7a0f84c16f25″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
The Matildas finally appear to be gelling under the stewardship of Tony Gustavsson after a long period of acclimatisation for the Swedish coach. Five wins on the bounce have raised expectations at the start of the biggest season in the history of women’s football in Australia. Victory tonight, against fellow World Cup contenders, will turbocharge the nation’s hopes, just five months away from the defining tournament of this generation.
“,”elementId”:”1be72718-dea3-4270-bfe1-991c110979ed”},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.TextBlockElement”,”html”:”
That’s enough from me for now, but you can join in by sending me an email or fly a tweet to @JPHowcroft.
“,”elementId”:”c2996499-ec3d-48f2-a646-23036e6e9c39″},{“_type”:”model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement”,”media”:{“allImages”:[{“index”:0,”fields”:{“height”:”822″,”width”:”1371″},”mediaType”:”Image”,”mimeType”:”image/jpeg”,”url”:”https://media.guim.co.uk/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/1371.jpg”},{“index”:1,”fields”:{“isMaster”:”true”,”height”:”822″,”width”:”1371″},”mediaType”:”Image”,”mimeType”:”image/jpeg”,”url”:”https://media.guim.co.uk/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg”},{“index”:2,”fields”:{“height”:”600″,”width”:”1000″},”mediaType”:”Image”,”mimeType”:”image/jpeg”,”url”:”https://media.guim.co.uk/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/1000.jpg”},{“index”:3,”fields”:{“height”:”300″,”width”:”500″},”mediaType”:”Image”,”mimeType”:”image/jpeg”,”url”:”https://media.guim.co.uk/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/500.jpg”},{“index”:4,”fields”:{“height”:”84″,”width”:”140″},”mediaType”:”Image”,”mimeType”:”image/jpeg”,”url”:”https://media.guim.co.uk/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/140.jpg”}]},”data”:{“alt”:”Jennifer Hermoso”,”caption”:”The experienced Jennifer Hermoso will be pivotal for Spain against the Matildas.”,”credit”:”Photograph: Susana Vera/Reuters”},”displayCredit”:true,”role”:”inline”,”imageSources”:[{“weighting”:”inline”,”srcSet”:[{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=620&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=596a3cd18000fd03575d38b700e11888″,”width”:620},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=620&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=38337b019f92ca745468c708be02b1c3″,”width”:1240},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=605&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=7f2a3f02ec96dfeef858a22d3d638108″,”width”:605},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=605&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=2e2773f57811f90304878a2b8c8eb9a6″,”width”:1210},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=445&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=0a38fb7774559cc160787d33637ede82″,”width”:445},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=3e7338cfeac4dca16b820a90a51a9fa0″,”width”:890}]},{“weighting”:”thumbnail”,”srcSet”:[{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=140&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=935183a7995d15b70edfd2541a114699″,”width”:140},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=140&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=bce6a2e5f9fe09ef238c23bfe183bea5″,”width”:280},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=120&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=25894440cea425397a7190f4c40ec1fd”,”width”:120},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=120&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=3c4430557fc04c9605146a42eea80d6b”,”width”:240}]},{“weighting”:”supporting”,”srcSet”:[{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=380&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=f282fc5e196cd2c16b741daed2ebd693″,”width”:380},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=380&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=4cc056dcb89d5f9c36495b8f560cdda5″,”width”:760},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=3520ba1d30460e61f79d397773b8f71d”,”width”:300},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=300&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=3414109ccf05b42fa53fbdd483a72b41″,”width”:600},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=620&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=596a3cd18000fd03575d38b700e11888″,”width”:620},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=620&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=38337b019f92ca745468c708be02b1c3″,”width”:1240},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=605&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=7f2a3f02ec96dfeef858a22d3d638108″,”width”:605},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=605&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=2e2773f57811f90304878a2b8c8eb9a6″,”width”:1210},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=445&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=0a38fb7774559cc160787d33637ede82″,”width”:445},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=3e7338cfeac4dca16b820a90a51a9fa0″,”width”:890}]},{“weighting”:”showcase”,”srcSet”:[{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=860&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=844c08f45dc4851f24e3567931a7fd90″,”width”:860},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=860&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=0a74c04a6837b707b266af987ea95c74″,”width”:1720},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=780&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=78d0918fe546ca5412a0d93ac0c3c34d”,”width”:780},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=780&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=638fcb4fe4f2e77630d1e2d67e32689b”,”width”:1560},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=620&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=596a3cd18000fd03575d38b700e11888″,”width”:620},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=620&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=38337b019f92ca745468c708be02b1c3″,”width”:1240},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=605&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=7f2a3f02ec96dfeef858a22d3d638108″,”width”:605},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=605&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=2e2773f57811f90304878a2b8c8eb9a6″,”width”:1210},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=445&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=0a38fb7774559cc160787d33637ede82″,”width”:445},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=3e7338cfeac4dca16b820a90a51a9fa0″,”width”:890}]},{“weighting”:”halfwidth”,”srcSet”:[{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=620&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=596a3cd18000fd03575d38b700e11888″,”width”:620},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=620&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=38337b019f92ca745468c708be02b1c3″,”width”:1240},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=605&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=7f2a3f02ec96dfeef858a22d3d638108″,”width”:605},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=605&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=2e2773f57811f90304878a2b8c8eb9a6″,”width”:1210},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=445&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=0a38fb7774559cc160787d33637ede82″,”width”:445},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=3e7338cfeac4dca16b820a90a51a9fa0″,”width”:890}]},{“weighting”:”immersive”,”srcSet”:[{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=1900&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=c3be3e013c5f461a8e4102b7ef76770b”,”width”:1900},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=1900&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=db67072eb23e8854e694a02496bb1b04″,”width”:3800},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=1300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=ad23edb5197e74fc108b2f00f6f287d1″,”width”:1300},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=1300&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=4289e94a6bc653f3290405b1df6bc725″,”width”:2600},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=1140&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=d5793497644fe8b6912b5a3870a27ca7″,”width”:1140},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=1140&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=c5c92ac72665aaca3b6df6c546cb0c93″,”width”:2280},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=980&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=e483261fdd824b78e0616cc4cdcbbdf3″,”width”:980},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=980&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=a8cda529db698356df7055b38c8b85d7″,”width”:1960},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=740&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=217ff701d98ee92f04f1fbd951c9f34f”,”width”:740},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=740&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=504201b80920d2d885050f3c51954ce7″,”width”:1480},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=660&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=dc0fce7ad8601a6dd8771923bd1be06a”,”width”:660},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=660&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=56b465ec1cc10eed1d28c9ec823a64a2″,”width”:1320},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=480&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=673b5735f954102b94627ff3c424ee8f”,”width”:480},{“src”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c0f513283ddad5a4d77c248cafea6e0ed14c88ee/0_118_1371_822/master/1371.jpg?width=480&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=e3bc86720e9730895ed9c73cab9499ab”,”width”:960}]}],”elementId”:”38d8f9a5-06d0-489a-91aa-606b4ec7e1a1″}],”attributes”:{“pinned”:false,”keyEvent”:true,”summary”:false},”blockCreatedOn”:1676787834000,”blockCreatedOnDisplay”:”06.23 GMT”,”blockLastUpdated”:1676787752000,”blockLastUpdatedDisplay”:”06.22 GMT”,”blockFirstPublished”:1676787834000,”blockFirstPublishedDisplay”:”06.23 GMT”,”blockFirstPublishedDisplayNoTimezone”:”06.23″,”title”:”Preamble”,”contributors”:[{“name”:”Jonathan Howcroft”,”imageUrl”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2017/09/26/Jonathan-Howcroft.jpg?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=cb5003fe5eff6155ec0853623012c25c”,”largeImageUrl”:”https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2017/10/06/Jonathan_Howcroft,_L.png?width=300&quality=85&auto=format&fit=max&s=679a374e5a4d21202917588299331ddc”}],”primaryDateLine”:”Sun 19 Feb 2023 09.09 GMT”,”secondaryDateLine”:”First published on Sun 19 Feb 2023 06.23 GMT”}],”filterKeyEvents”:false,”format”:{“display”:0,”theme”:2,”design”:10},”id”:”key-events-carousel-mobile”}”>
Important events
The analysis of tonight’s match will be fascinating. There was enough in the 90 minutes to confirm all sorts of preconceptions.
The bottom line is that Australia won, so everything has to follow from that starting point. But it cannot be overlooked that Mackenzie Arnold deserved to be named man of the match and that Spain dominated possession and created more chances.
Playing with such speed and directness on the counter attack is a risk-reward strategy. Against good opposition means the Matildas may not see much of the ball, so they need to make the most of it when they do. In the first half they did just that, scoring three times and looking dangerous in every transition. But in the second half they struggled to get a foothold and relied on Spain not opening up in the final third.
Tony Gustavsson then rallies his team and revs them up, telling them to celebrate an important win, even if they were under pressure for most of the second half.
Hayley Raso – who was excellent in the first half – just said a few words on TV. The key takeaway was how the Matildas are treating this series as a World Cup warm-up and are pleased with their ability to secure results against strong opposition.
Full time: Australia 3-2 Spain
The Matildas stay!
TARGET! Australia 3-2 Spain (Redondo 90+4)
Just one minute left for Spain to get a second! It’s a slow build-up down the right, but Marta Cardona digs in a good cross that Redondo smashes first-time on the volley at the near post. That was a blistering finish.
90+2 minutes: Australia defend their box with great determination. Nevin shows plenty of spank stomping on Hermozo and gets in the face of the Spanish veteran.
90 minutes: Spain have lost their cool in the final ten minutes, failing to string together those combinations in the final third to unlock Australia’s defence. Too often the ball has been delivered upright, only to find the scintillating Polkinghorne.
Five minutes late.
88 minutes: Spain have a corner on the right, Hermoso swings it in and Mackenzie Arnold whips it out of the sky like Atlas holding up the world. The Matildas keeper was outstanding tonight.
This 5-3-2 is now 5-4-1 with more changes.
86 minutes: Kerr has worked hard all night but lacks an element of determination in the final third, and it shows again when she runs onto a van Egmond through ball but instead of driving for goal she tries to play the ball across to Foord to saw a weak pass intercepted.
84 minutes: Spain keep probing and that ball down the inside left channel works beautifully. Paralluelo’s cross is dangerous, but Arnold is brave and gets the first 50-50 with Redondo and earns a foul, as well as two bruises for her trouble. The Spanish forward was tackled hard for what was a legitimate challenge for the ball.
82 minutes: Great hustle from Foord to close the space on the right. Polkinghorne is then very strong in the air in the box but the attacks keep coming from Spain. Another cross is cleared, but only as far as Hermoso – who shoots harmlessly over the bar. Spain’s 18th shot of the night (to Australia’s 14).
80 minutes: Australia are now set up in a 5-3-2 formation, happy to absorb whatever Spain throws at them.
78 minutes: ANOTHER GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY IS WANTED! Spain, dear oh dear. Upheaval in midfield, Salma Paralluelo, just brought on as a substitute, has only one defender in front of her, which she turns inside out, then smashes a shot wide of Arnold’s goal. Vilda will wonder how his side isn’t at least flat.
A final drinks break as the teams prepare for the final 15 minutes. Gustavsson must implore his side to press further and avoid being suffocated by Spain’s relentless passing. Australia were second best this half, relying on some inspired goalkeeping and a determined rearguard action to maintain their advantage in the first half.
TARGET! Australia 3-1 Spain (Olga Carmona, 73)
Finally Spain got to the score. A corner from the right is headed towards the edge of the box where the Spanish left-back executes a superbly technical half-volley, turning her body at an angle, flicking her foot through the ball with power to send it into a wood on foot and beyond Arnold. .
72 minutes: And now the Matildas are breaking! And they have the ball in the back of the net again – only to see the offside flag raised. It’s another very close call with Gorry and Grant hitting the line at different stages on the counter attack.
Nevin and van Egmond come on for Vine and Cooney-Cross.
71 minutes: The game is almost at a walking pace 25 meters out from Australia’s goal as Spain pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, waiting for an opening that never comes. A cross goes in to the left but is blocked behind the boot. The corner is lost and it’s back to the clinical pass.
69 minutes: Great save from Polkinghorne, reading the space brilliantly to block Redodo and cut the ball away. Australia are now committed to defence, shutting down Spain’s big players and going out to block or disrupt with maximum intensity.
A huge thanks to the 17,333 fans supporting us at @commbankstadium during tonight's #CupOfNations clash v Spain 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/QGXqTGQLLa
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) February 19, 2023
\n”,”url”:”https://twitter.com/TheMatildas/status/1627223137158045698?s=20″,”id”:”1627223137158045698″,”hasMedia”:false,”role”:”inline”,”isThirdPartyTracking”:false,”source”:”Twitter”,”elementId”:”984f1dec-10a0-4489-b0cf-c4d90dc83275″}}”/>
67 minutes: A rare long ball to Hermoso shows some frustration from the visitors and the ball is just cleared allowing Australia to take some of the game out.
65 minutes: The advantage of all those gold shirts in defense means Spain have less room to manoeuvre, and some trademark balls into the backs have been cut out allowing Australia to move downfield.
63 minutes: Australia are now in a low block and there are no numbers on the bench. This becomes an attack vs. defense training exercise.
61 minutes: HOW IS SPAIN STILL STILL STILL?!? Another great strike through the lines, stunning ball inside-right for the overlapping full-back who cuts the ball back for Hermoso who can’t beat Arnold from five yards out. This had to be done. Credit to the keeper for another great save, but this is a terrible miss.
@JPHowcroft agree with you about the performance of both teams so far. A little more composure and finesse in attack by Spain, and we have a different match altogether.
— phil withall (@phil_withall) February 19, 2023
\n”,”url”:”https://twitter.com/phil_withall/status/1627220964806397955?s=20″,”id”:”1627220964806397955″,”hasMedia”:false,”role”:”inline”,”isThirdPartyTracking”:false,”source”:”Twitter”,”elementId”:”5605ccb9-e1b2-4c64-9db9-2420a58a1b29″}}”>
@JPHowcroft I agree with you about the performance of both teams so far. A little more composure and finesse in attack from Spain, and we have a completely different match.
— phil withall (@phil_withall) February 19, 2023
59 minutes: A drinks break for both teams while Arnold does not receive treatment. Williams is on the warm-up front row, but Arnold is good to go.
58 minutes: Spain take a corner on the right but Australia rise to clear. The second ball is tackled by Kerr and the Matildas are able to break in numbers and speed. The ball is crossed for Gori behind the line… but the flag goes up. It was all Spain this half, but these moments show just how dangerous Australia can be on the counter.
56 minutes: Spain are relentless, keep the ball moving, get through the lines, but when they hit the penalty area they run out of inspiration. Again they look to create a chance down the left but this time they keep the ball moving and a shot from the right of the box is deflected behind.
Rasso, and her injured left hand, is replaced by Kramer. Another great change from the ponytailed speedster.
54 minutes: Another half chance for Spain. Hermozo’s corner is assisted but Arnold is first to the ball in a decisive duel with Ester. Arnold contributed significantly despite the one-sided score.
52 minutes: Australia try to control the tempo but fail to hold possession in the midfield. Combos don’t look anywhere near as slick when the game isn’t fast paced. That’s bread and butter for Spain, though who are cut back for the umpteenth time, create enough space on the left for Olga Carmona to cross and her ball is dangerous but somehow ends up in Arnold’s hands after a set-piece. The Matildas ride their luck on penalties all night.
50 minutes: Kerr does well to keep the ball for Australia but Cooney-Cross’s shot is straight at Rocío Gálvez.
48 minutes: Hermozo has the first shot of the half, but it’s straight at Arnold from inside the box. He had time and space to pick his position as Spain picked up where they left off in the first half by dominating the ball in their final third.
46 minutes: Return to Sydney. Two changes for Spain with Marta Carro and Oihane replaced by Fiamma Iannuzzi and Sheila Garcia.
I’ll see you in a bit. This is Sam Kerr.
“To wear the Australian jersey is always a massive honour, but to wear the rainbow colours, something that I've always been really proud is really special,”@samkerr1, who donned the Pride Progress Captains' Armband, was excited to promote a message close to her heart! pic.twitter.com/AjKEfXDmuu
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) February 19, 2023
\n”,”url”:”https://twitter.com/TheMatildas/status/1627215368560459776?s=20″,”id”:”1627215368560459776″,”hasMedia”:false,”role”:”inline”,”isThirdPartyTracking”:false,”source”:”Twitter”,”elementId”:”bf49dd20-d20a-4b7c-b7c3-fe80e2e35c78″}}”>
“To wear the Australian jersey is always a great honour, but to wear the rainbow colors which I’ve always been really proud of is really special.”@samkerr1who wore the Pride Progress Captains’ wristband, was excited to promote a message to her! pic.twitter.com/AjKEfXDmuu
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) February 19, 2023
So much so that I like it for Australia’s performance. The pace and directness of Vine and Raso, the passing of Cooney-Cross, the quality on the ball of Catley, the vigor of Grant, the reflexes of Arnold…
It was an energetic, confident half that showed perfectly how to fight a team like Spain that likes to dominate possession and build up late.
It wasn’t half without concern though. Spain bypassed Australia’s press time and time again and crushed the Matildas in the midfield. A more even score would not have flattered them on the balance of play, and on another day, with a more decisive finish, they might have two or three goals of their own at the break.
Half time: Australia 3-0 Spain
A clinical display of counter-attacking football from the Matildas against a very capable Spain. Is this a sign of Gustavsson’s reign?
45+2 minutes: Great one-on-one defense from Grant keeps Spain in the build-up. When the ball finally enters the box, Polkinghorne and Hunt are ready to sweep.
45 minutes: Concern for Raso who is receiving treatment on some fingers on her left hand. It’s okay to continue, for now.
44 minutes: Kerr should make it four but drags her shot wide! Cooney-Cross has excelled with her long balls from deep and Kerr’s last hits at running back, but with Misa only beating the Aussie skipper, she is over her lines.
TARGET! Australia 3-0 Spain (Ford, 42)
Food makes it three! Catley with the free-kick sails into the six-yard box, nobody takes control for Spain and Foord steals away to direct her header into the back of the net. Delight for Gustavsson on the bench. The second soft defensive goal for Spain.
40 minutes: Spain doesn’t stick and within a minute Esther and Hermoso both test Arnold, but Australia survives. Food then carries the ball 60 meters out of defence, resisting about half a dozen fouls along the way before finally winning a whistle in the right corner of the penalty area.