Fowler fires Australia to Women's World Cup warm-up win over France

14.07.2023 - 14:35 rte.ie

A Mary Fowler goal gave Australia a 1-0 win against France in front of a record crowd in Melbourne as the home side enjoyed a timely shot of confidence six days out from their Women's World Cup opener against Ireland.France's loss in the friendly at Docklands Stadium came with a sting in the tail, with winger Selma Bacha rolling her left ankle in stoppage time and carried off on a stretcher.Fowler's composed 66th-minute strike in front of 50,629 fans settled the Matildas' nerves after captain Sam Kerr and strike partner Caitlin Foord were subbed off near the hour mark after a fruitless hour in front of goal.The crowd was an Australian record for a women's soccer match, smashing the previous best of 36,109 in 2021 when the Matildas hosted the United States in Sydney.The crowd record will only last six days as more than 80,000 are expected at Sydney's Stadium Australia for their game against Ireland next Thursday.World Cup contenders France have lost plenty of firepower to injury, including experienced midfielder Amandine Henry who was ruled out with a calf problem.

soccer international soccer Sport FIFA Women's World Cup win cup Sam Kerr Caitlin Foord France Usa Australia Ireland

Hayley Raso scored twice for Australia in a statement 4-0 win over Canada as the fired-up co-hosts booked their place in the last 16 of the Women's World Cup on Monday at the expense of the Olympic champions. Tony Gustavsson's team came into the clash with their backs to the wall, needing victory to ensure they made the knockout round after a stunning 3-2 defeat at the hands of Nigeria left them on a knife-edge. In front of a heaving Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, they thrived on the pressure to the delight of the raucous 27,706 fans, consigning Canada to an early flight home. Real Madrid's Raso put them ahead in the ninth minute, firing low into the corner after captain Steph Catley fed a teasing low cross.

Australia Face Must-Win FIFA Women's World Cup Clash, Japan Take On Spain

Co-hosts Australia have to beat Canada on Monday or risk an unthinkable exit from the Women's World Cup in the first round, while former champions Japan take on Spain with top spot in their group on the line. Australia are sweating on the fitness of star forward and captain Sam Kerr for the Group B game against Canada in Melbourne which starts at 1000 GMT and where only a win will guarantee them a place in the last 16. Kerr has missed the Matildas' two matches so far, in which they beat the Republic of Ireland 1-0 but then suffered a surprise 3-2 defeat against Nigeria.

Australia's World Cup legacy on the line against Canada, says coach

MELBOURNE : Australia's hopes of a legacy-defining Women's World Cup will be at stake when they play Canada in Monday's Group B crunch match and the co-hosts' campaign will be a failure if they are eliminated before the knockout phase, coach Tony Gustavsson said.