Australia move on from thrashing as Matildas ride luck in draw with Portugal

The Matildas bounced back from their 7-0 drubbing by Spain at the weekend by claiming a 1-1 draw against Portugal in their second and final friendly of the June international window in Estoril.

Princess Ibini-Isei came of the bench to put the visitors into the lead on 73 minutes with her first international goal, punishing some earlier profligacy from Portugal. But Tony Gustavsson’s side were denied victory by a late equaliser from Telma Encarnacao as time ran out at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota.

In their first meeting since 2018, and fourth overall, the hosts enjoyed the majority of possession and chances in the opening half but substitute Ibini put the Matildas in front by finishing off good lead-up work down the right flank involving Larissa Crummer and Emily Gielnik.

But the home side, ranked 30th in the world and 18 spots below the Australians, levelled from close range in the 87th minute through another substitute, Encarnacao, after a sloppy turnover. The goal though, would have been ruled out for offside if VAR was in use.

Encarnacao could have won it just a minute later, and then with the last kick of the game deep into added time, but Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams saved on both occasions. After not playing against world No 7 Spain, the veteran shot-stopper captained Gustavsson’s team to celebrate her 100-game milestone.

More to follow.