Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Penrith: Evergreen Lisa De Vanna produced a goal for the ages, while Sam Kerr backed up her billing as the shining light of Australian women’s football, as the Matildas beat Brazil 2-1 on a red-letter day for the women’s game Down Under.
Debinha pulled a goal back for Brazil in the 79th minute, but Australia did enough to secure the win, and stretch their unbeaten run in full internationals to seven matches.
In front of a sold-out home crowd at Penrith Stadium, Australia started tentatively before De Vanna lit up the contest with a spectacular left foot volley just before half-time.
From 25 metres out, Australia’s all-time record scorer unleashed an improvised effort which took Brazilian goalkeeper Dani Neuhaus by surprise and crashed into the Brazilian net, delighting the enthusiastic Penrith crowd.
After half time it was Kerr’s turn to take centre stage, and the 24-year-old added weight to her The Best FIFA Women’s Player credentials with a delightful flicked header to double the Matildas' lead in the 67th minute.
The goal is Kerr’s fifth in her last three international matches, following a hat-trick against Japan and another goal against the Brazilians at the recent Tournament of Nations in the United States.
Brazil pulled a goal back through impressive midfielder Debinha with just over 10 minutes remaining, but Australia – with 23 shots at goal to Brazil’s six - richly deserved their win.
The sides meet again in Newcastle on Tuesday, before Australia learns of their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Jordan 2018 opponents at the official draw in Amman in December.
Photo: AFP