Australia has followed its Asian Cup defeat with a second consecutive loss on home soil after a shock 1-0 drubbing to Mexico in a friendly on Saturday night.
A Diana Ordonez strike from inside the box in the 92nd minute lifted the 28th-ranked Mexico to the upset win in front of 23,167 at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle.
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The 24-year-old, coming on as a substitute, fired into the bottom left corner after receiving a slick pass from Alice Soto for the winner.
It is Mexico’s second-ever win over the Matildas and its first over the Green and Gold since 2004.
“Disappointing to concede a goal at the end but I think we had enough chances to finish the game ourselves,” Matildas forward Mary Fowler said on Paramount+.
“It’s all good prep for the World Cup, it’s good to play teams like this who will challenge us in different ways.
“We will get back, review the game and go from there.”
Matildas star Sam Kerr earlier had a golden opportunity to strike the first blow with time and space running toward goal freely in the 87th minute. But a strong tackle from Mexico defender Greta Espinoza denied Kerr of a shot.
As the Mexicans were for much of the night, they went on to fire strong attempts through Charlyn Corral and Greta Espinoza in the dying stages before eventually finding the late winner.
Nicki Hernandez and Montserrat Saldivar also had promising chances in the first half but the Matildas managed to survive those, before coming out of halftime with improved play led by Kerr.
But the Matildas had limited chances throughout despite having more shots (19-12) and possession (61 per cent) as the Mexicans, on a six-game win streak, had the better of the chances in a promising showing ahead of next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The Mexicans are now unbeaten in their last 16 games where they have conceded just two goals.
The 15th-ranked Matildas will get the chance to make a mend on Tuesday when they face the North American outfit again in Sydney.
Matildas forward Caitlin Foord said her side needed to improve in the front third.
“We know how important these games are for our rankings as well so extremely disappointed especially when we dominated, I feel, most of it,” Foord said.
“We were just missing the final third. And myself included, the last pass, it just wasn’t there and that’s something we need to be better at going into the next game and just more shots as well.”
Joe Montemurro’s side will be targeting its first win in Australia since an AFC Women’s Asian Cup final 1-nil loss to Japan in March.
KERR FIRES SHOTS
Matildas star forward Sam Kerr fired several shots out of halftime to heap pressure on Mexico and threaten an opening goal.
The now former Chelsea striker nailed two headers and then a back heal in the 63rd minute but all came without enough power behind them.
Kerr then played a nice short pass for lively substitute Hayley Raso in the 65th minute, although, her shot flew over the bar in a chance gone begging for the Australians.
CARPENTER MILETSONE
Matildas fullback Ellie Carpenter nearly had an assist in her 100th appearance with one of the brightest moments for the home side in what was a quieter first half.
After receiving a nice through ball from Emily van Egmond, Carpenter made a strong run into the box before passing towards forward Caitlin Foord, but the play just before halftime couldn’t be completed.
“That is as close as Australia have come,” Paramount+ commentator Taryn Heddo said.
Carpenter, 26, who is the second youngest Matilda to reach the milestone, made another lengthy run into the box in the 68th minute to put the Mexican defence under pressure.
The regional NSW product from Cowra is the 18th player to reach 100 appearances for the Matildas.
— NCA NewsWire