Well that was certainly a half of two … halves.
While the Matildas came into this match as the favourites, they certainly didn’t play like it in the opening 25 minutes. Denmark had less of the ball, but more idea of what to do with it, scything apart Australia’s defence and taking shots when and where they came.
Pernille Harder looked like the player most likely to punish the Matildas for their mistakes, but some scrambling defence and a little bit of luck ensured the ball didn’t find the back of Mackenzie Arnold’s net.
And then there was the goal.
Compared to the tricky triangles Australia had been attempting in the half-hour prior, this was almost beautiful in its simplicity: a pass into Mary Fowler, who turned and sent a single, driving pass through five Danish defenders to the feet of Caitlin Foord, who sprung into the box and cheekily fizzed the ball between the keeper’s legs.
Stadium Australia exploded then, releasing the tension that had been slowly building. And what a moment for Foord, who sprinted off towards the corner flag: she’s the player who has stood up in the absence of Sam Kerr, and is finally getting her moment to shine.
But there’s still a half to go yet. Let’s see if Denmark can ruin the party.
From Sam Lewis at Stadium Australia
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