It was a rough night at Stadium Australia as the Matildas were beaten 3-1 by England in their semi-final clash.
Sam Kerr’s wonder goal was the only bright spot in an otherwise heartbreaking night for the Aussies as they came up agonisingly short against the European champions.
Foxsports.com.au takes a look at how every player performed in Wednesday night’s blockbuster.
England golazo leaves stadium silenced | 00:32
MORE COVERAGE
Last Waltz: Matildas’ World Cup dream ends as Poms through after all-time Kerr stunner
‘Ludicrous’: England’s ‘dirty’ tactics blasted as ref ‘leaves cards in the change rooms’
‘You are f***ing kidding me’: All-time Kerr worldie makes Australia explode
DEFENCE
Mackenzie Arnold – 6
After her heroic performance last game, Arnold joked yesterday: “Obviously I have not received attention like that (before), but at the same time I just tend to block it out because I know if I play like s**t tomorrow it could be a whole different attention on me.”
Luckily, she continued her hot run of form!
Arnold made a string of brilliant saves, and the scoreline could easily have been much worse at half time if not for her efforts.
There was nothing she could do for the opening goal, which was laced into the very top corner. And the other two were incredibly difficult to deny as well. She can hold their head high after a brilliant tournament.
Steph Catley – 4.5
Struggled to get forward and have an impact on the contest up front, and her crossing was a little underwhelming. In defence, she was solid but was guilty of a couple of errors of positioning.
Clare Polkinghorne – 4
Making her first start of the tournament after four appearances off the bench, the dependable veteran had a busy start as she won two headers in the first 30 seconds! She won plenty more from that point, but it wasn’t all easy. England exploited her lack of pace with long balls over the top, which won them plenty of corners and throw-ins and was an easy release valve when Australia pressed. She did well in both aerial and ground duels, but it was a tough outing.
Dream OVER as Tillies tumble out | 00:32
Clare Hunt – 5.5
Was badly caught out of position in the first ten minutes when Georgia Stanway ghosted in behind her and really should have scored.
Ellie Carpenter – 3.5
She’ll regret her failure to handle the ball in her own box as England sealed the game. But other than that, it was a tough match for the elite fullback. Her overlapping runs down the right flank and connection with winger Hayley Raso were very good in the first half. But her delivery when she made it into the final third was often poor.
MIDFIELD
Katrina Gorry – 6.5
No midfielder has made more successful tackles than Gorry this tournament, who also leads the Aussies in interceptions. She was outstanding with her defending once again, breaking up play after play with her hard tackling and exceptional reading of the play. She capped off a solid performance when she teed up Kerr for the goal with a neat pass.
Kyra Cooney-Cross – 6
It was always going to be a tough battle in the midfield, especially when England had the extra body.
But Cooney-Cross never gave up and grew into the game as it wore on.
The young midfielder sprayed balls from side to side to switch the play and help the Aussies’ advances.
Her whipped balls over the top from close range for Kerr to run onto were also a delight.
ATTACK
Caitlin Foord – 4
So influential this tournament, Foord struggled to get herself on the ball for large portions of the match and was stifled by England’s defence. She had moments of spark – connecting well with Kerr on occasion – but couldn’t make a big impact.
Mary Fowler – 5
After covering almost 15km last game, the most of any player, the 20-year-old did well to back up and play well in the semi-final. In a physical encounter, she had a tough night and was bounced off the ball a few times in the first half. But her passing was exceptional, and she could easily have had an assist with a pinpoint cross for Kerr late in the piece.
Hayley Raso – 5.5
Did well in the first half, with most of the Matildas attack flowing down her flank.
However, she faded in the second stanza which could be a result of her having to constantly track back to slow down the advances of England’s Rachel Daly.
Was eventually subbed off in the 72nd minute.
Sam Kerr – 6.5
It might seem harsh, given the incredible screamer she scored. It’s a moment that we’ll never forget. But Kerr took six shots and just two went on target, with her pair of misses late in the game – first a header, then a volley – well below her usual best. If she had more time on the training ground she almost certainly would have scored at least one of them – but that’s just a cruel ‘what if’.
SUBSTITUTES
Cortnee Vine – 5
Came on in the 72nd minute for Hayley Raso.
The speedster was injected into the fray just after England had scored their second, which likely wasn’t a part of Gustavsson’s plans.
Vine looked to take the game to a tired English backline and although she managed to break through on occasion, she couldn’t find the equaliser the Matildas needed before the third goal went in.
Emily van Egmond – 5
Came on in the 81st minute for Clare Polkinghorne.
Van Egmond never quite got a chance to show her quality as the game got away from the Matildas towards the end and struggled make much of an impact.
Alex Chidiac – N/A
Came on in the 88th minute for Katrina Gorry.
Fan favourite Chidiac was thrown into the contest just after England had scored their third goal.
Unfortunately she never quite got much of an opportunity to shine in the limited minutes she received, with her main highlight of note when she drove into the box with the ball but was well-tackled.
