Live: Kerr makes instant impact on Matildas return against Wales

After a period of back-and-forth transition, Australia has really got a grip on the game late in the first half. The Matildas are working the ball around the box brilliantly but just can’t find a telling ball to open Wales up.

A Welsh counter-attack threatens breifly, but Wini Heatley is across to brilliantly stop the danger. Hasn’t been anyone on the pitch better than Heatley so far.

Gorry was caught in possession by Fishlock in the middle of the park, and her pass opened the door for Cain to drive through on goal. Hunt did well to knock her off balance though, and the shot was tame straight at Micah.

There is threat in this Wales team though, Australia’s midfield has been often overrun.

Is that a Sam Kerr goal on return?  I don’t think so, I think Kerr had a fresh-airy at a tap in so the goal will be Courtney Nevin’s.

Nevin whipped in the free kick from the right side of the box and looked as if she had set up Kerr perfectly. Turns out she had gone one better, deceiving everyone for her first Matildas goal.

And that one was much better than the first. Holland took the ball to the byline and cut back to the captain, who just needed to open her body to direct the ball across Micah.

Somehow Fishlock managed only to tackle herself and fall over in the process, the ball left behind in the six-yard-box. Not her best effort.

Hunt and Holland come together on the corner of the Wales box and each go theatrically to ground. There are calls for a penalty, but the ref isn’t having any of them.

Looked a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge with led to a mutual tangle of legs. No call is the correct one.

Really neat play at the top of the pitch from Wales, up until the point Jess Fishlock pulled the trigger. Her first-time effort is spooned high over the bar, and she throws her head back with a smile.

Matildas struggling to pass through the Welsh midfield now, the momentum has shifted.

Kerr’s first touch of the ball nearly helps break through the high Welsh line, with Foord’s pass finding Raso in an acre of space. She’d gone early though and offside is correctly called.

Bright start from the Aussies but Wales are looking a threat with their press.

Slick breakaway from the Matildas as Foord carries the ball up the left wing before finding Gorry in a pocket of space.

She has a dip from 20 yards out and beats the keeper, but the bar takes it over and out.

Kind of an important element. Not sure if it’s just gone flat or if there is a problem with some sort of technology within it.

The fact I am telling you this probably let’s you know how much has happened in these early stages.

Wales kick off and this one is off and running at Cardiff City Stadium. Wales are lining up with a familiar back three.

There was some feeling in the delivery of the Welsh national anthem, particularly from Jess Fishlock who needed a moment to compose herself in the middle of it. The crowd are all here for her today and are expecting Wales to send her off in style.

Kick-off right around the corner now.

One name stands out above all in that Welsh lineup, with captain Jess Fishlock tonight playing her final game for her country.

Fishlock has been a giant of women’s football and a star of the Welsh national team for nearly 20 years. Hers’ is a name familiar to Aussie football fans too thanks to two stints in the A-League.

Asked about her before the game, Matildas coach Joe Montemurro said he was honoured to be here on such an occasion as Fishlock’s final game, and said just thinking about it gave him goosebumps.

Wearing the armband tonight is Hayley Raso, who gets to celebrate her 100th appearance for her country. Another Matildas who has had to do things the hard way, overcoming a significant back injury to return to elite football and become a critical member of this squad.

Raso has seen it all throughout her journey with this team, and will no doubt have 2026 Asian Cup triumph high on the wish list. First thing’s first though, victory tonight as skipper against Wales.

I wonder if Sam Kerr ever doubted if this day would come. During her long and troubled recovery from an ACL injury, she has admitted there were dark times as setback after setback struck her recovery.

Getting back on the pitch for Chelsea was the first step, but Kerr is still yet to start a match for her club side. A handful of sub appearances has proven enough for Joe Montemurro to pull the trigger and throw Kerr in the deep end.

There’s the news we have been waiting 725 days for — Sam Kerr is starting for the Matildas again. It has been a hell of a long road back for our star striker after an ACL injury kept her sidelined for longer than anyone expected.

Kerr will be joined in attack by tonight’s captain Hayley Raso, who is also earning her 100th cap for Australia, while the dynamic Kyra Cooney-Cross looks set to play in midfield with Clare Wheeler and Katrina Gorry.

Strong team, notwithstanding some tinkering at the back (Ellie Carpenter starts this one on the bench).

Good evening and welcome to ABC Sport’s live coverage of the Matildas’ international friendly against Wales at Cardiff City Stadium. Along with Wednesday morning’s game against England, this is an important chance for Joe Montemurro to get a good look at his squad in preparation for next year’s Asian Cup.

This is the first time we’ve seen the Tillies in action since they were turned over by Panama in July, so it will be rather interesting indeed to see how they are shaping up. Some good news with team selection (more on that soon) should hopefully improve things.

Kick-off isn’t far away, let’s hope we’re in for a good one.