Australia
Mackenzie Arnold Not called on too often in the first half, but dealt with Ireland’s physicality well in the second half, her safe hands claiming the ball. A couple of spills at the end but she managed to quickly pounce on them. 5
Steph Catley Stepped up to take the captain’s armband and stepped up again to take the penalty that settled the Matildas’ nerves and earned them the win. A solid night for the skipper and alongside Katrina Gorry was one of Australia’s best. 7
Alanna Kennedy Solid without being spectacular, but deserves credit for managing to keep a clean sheet especially as Ireland threw everything in the final minutes. Resilient performance. 6
Clare Hunt Centre-back combined well with Kennedy and benefited from having the more experienced defender beside her in the face of Ireland’s physicality. Did well to hold her nerve. 6
Ellie Carpenter Trademark lung-busting runs down the right were nowhere to be seen, with Katie McCabe shutting her down. Showed good composure when called on in defence, but her distribution wasn’t up to her high standards. 5
Cortnee Vine Showed glimpses of understanding with Steph Catley down the left, but struggled to deal with the physicality of Heather Payne. The winger was eventually replaced by Emily Van Egmond with 15 minutes left on the clock. 5
Kyra Cooney-Cross Tough first half and notably came close to being punished by an Ireland goal for losing the ball in midfield. Struggled to provide service to Foord and Fowler. 5
Katrina Gorry Uncompromising determination, particularly in the first half. Held the midfield together, rushed back in defence and had plenty of drive going forward – one of the few Matildas’ players who did. A player-of-the-match performance. 7
Hayley Raso Did not give an inch in immense battle with Ireland captain Katie McCabe. The midfielder had the best chance of the first half with a header that flew just wide, then won the decisive penalty at the start of the second half. 6
Caitlin Foord Without Sam Kerr, it was left to Foord to lead the attack. She was the only Matildas player who managed to find any real space in the final third, but missed an opportunity to put her side further ahead in the second half. 6
Mary Fowler Given the unenviable task of replacing Sam Kerr, Fowler struggled to find her way into the final third and misplaced a few too many passes. Replaced by Clare Polkinghorne as Tony Gustavsson looked to solidify his defence. 5
Subs Emily Van Egmond (for Courtney Vine 75) 5. Clare Polkinghorne (for Mary Fowler) 5.
Republic of Ireland
Courtney Brosnan Not tested much, but did well when called on. There was nothing she could do to keep Catley’s penalty out. 5
Megan Connolly Distribution was careless at times, but she was formidable in defence in the first half alongside Louise Quinn. 6
Louise Quinn An immense first half in particular by the centre-back. Read the game expertly and effectively shut out the Matildas’ threats with her hustling defence. 7
Niamh Fahey Solid in defence, even outpacing Vine on a handful of occasions. Lived up to Ireland’s physical reputation. 6
Katie McCabe Lived up to the hype, getting stuck in physically – mainly at Raso’s expense, and absolutely dogged in defence. 6
Ruesha Littlejohn Largely inconspicuous, but did well to allow O’Sullivan to pull the attacking strings in midfield for Ireland by shielding the defence. 5
Denise O’Sullivan Presence in the midfield was crucial, read the play well and was the link between defence and attack. 6
Heather Payne Dropped back into Ireland’s defence and battled away, just as she is known to do. She got the better of Vine on the wing. 6
Marissa Sheva Didn’t see much of the ball in the first half and at the start of the second shoved Raso to the ground to concede a penalty. Replaced by Lucy Quinn in the 63rd minute. 5
Kyra Carusa Outmuscled off the ball in the first half, but grew into the match and battled alongside McCabe. 5
Sinead Farrelly Didn’t manage to get herself into the game much, eventually replaced by Abbie Larkin in the 73rd minute. 5
Subs Abbie Larkin (for Farrelly 63) 5. Lucy Quinn (for Sheva 63) 5.
