Caitlin Foord has celebrated her 150th Matildas appearance in style, scoring in Australia’s 3-1 win over Mexico on Tuesday night.
The Arsenal forward’s 41st goal for the national team was part of an improved attacking display from the Matildas at CommBank Stadium after they suffered a 1-0 weekend loss to the Mexicans in Newcastle.
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Foord – who was captain for the night as she became the sixth player to represent the Matildas in 150 or more games – made the most of teammate’s Kaitlyn Torpey charging run and well-placed pass, finishing the move with a right-footed strike.
The 71st-minute goal gave the friendly international its final scoreline after the Australians had led 2-1 at half-time in front of 18,441 fans.
“It’s an honour to represent my country so many times and to top if off with a goal is special but I’m just happy that we won the game,” Foord told Paramount Plus.
“We want to be the team that dominates and wins every game.”
The Matildas had opened the scoring in the 22nd minute through Alanna Kennedy.
Pouncing on a header from teammate Sam Kerr after the Mexicans had failed to clear a high ball in their penalty area, Kennedy netted her 18th goal for the national team with a right-footed strike that got the better of goalkeeper Esthefanny Barreras.
However, the visitors were back on level terms four minutes later after the Matildas’ insistence on playing out from the back finally proved costly after some earlier scares.
Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold put pressure on defender Winonah Heatley with an under-hit pass.
The pressing Mexicans pounced, with winger Montserrat Saldivar getting the better of Heatley before crossing the ball into the path of striker Diana Ordonez, who made no mistake from close range to continue her good form after also scoring in her team’s weekend win.
However, the Australians regained the lead in the 36th minute.
Right-back Ellie Carpenter was the architect with a powerful run followed by a cross that found Kerr.
The star striker’s shot hit the post, with the rebound smashing into the back of outstretched keeper Barreras before rolling into the net.
Kennedy had a chance to extended Australia’s lead early in the second-half but her goal-bound strike smashed into the ribs of the unfortunate Carpenter.
However, fittingly it was Foord who provided the match-sealing goal 26 minutes into the second-half.
Two changes
Matildas coach Joe Montemurro was pleased to bring Everton midfielder Clare Wheeler into his starting team after she wasn’t used on Saturday night due to illness.
“She was a big miss for us the other night,” Montemurro said.
“She wasn’t well so we felt that it as probably better to save her for the second game.”
Wheeler’s inclusion was one of two changes to the Matildas starting side, with winger Hayley Raso also brought into the 11 after coming on as a substitute on the weekend.
The two players dropping to the bench were midfielder Emily van Egmond and attacker Amy Sayer.
“Nothing too dramatic .. just a couple of little tweaks,” Montemurro said.