Matildas vs Switzerland updates: Historic first meeting between ...
The Matildas' new era has begun with a 1-1 draw against Switzerland, in front of a record crowd in Zurich.
Hoping to bounce back following their Olympic flop with new interim coach Tom Sermanni at the helm, Australia's women again failed to shine in their first match since the Games at Zurich's Letzigrund Stadium.
Despite the Swiss being the superior side in the first half, things still looked promising for Sermanni's crew when Caitlin Foord won a penalty and converted it a couple of minutes before the break.
But it was cancelled out by Geraldine Reuteler's 58th minute strike amid some panicky defending that enabled the world's 25th-ranked side to earn a well-deserved draw against a side ranked 10 places higher in the FIFA hierarchy.
It could have been worse for the Matildas, captained by Ellie Carpenter for the first time with Steph Catley only getting a late cameo off the bench after recent injury woes.
Swiss substitute Larina Baumann almost cashed in on more sloppy defending to hit the bar with a curling shot that had Mackenzie Arnold well beaten in the 90th minute.
The Swiss could also look back with frustration on Smilla Vallotto's glaring 40th minute miss when her weak shot when one-on-one could not beat the smart Arnold.
Sermanni had identified a "beaten up" Matildas side "low on confidence" and more in need of a win than a good performance as the World Cup semifinalists embarked on their first match since their Olympic campaign crashed and burned in the south of France.
They got neither the result nor the performance, with not even a slew of substitutions, including the Matildas' baptism of 18-year-old Daniela Galic, able to turn the tide. Though, they did begin to apply some belated pressure on the hosts near the end.
A positive note for the game overall was the crowd, with the 14,370 in attendance setting a new record for the Swiss women's national team.
The Matildas will play again on Tuesday morning, AEDT, when they face Germany.
— with AAP
Relive all the action from Australia's draw with Switzerland on the ABC Sport blog.
Key Events
Full-time: Switzerland 1 - Australia 1
2 hours agoFri 25 Oct 2024 at 7:56pm
GOAL: Switzerland
2 hours agoFri 25 Oct 2024 at 7:20pm
That Foord goal
3 hours agoFri 25 Oct 2024 at 7:08pm
4h agoFri 25 Oct 2024 at 6:04pm
1h agoFri 25 Oct 2024 at 8:22pm
That's all folksThanks for joining us on this fine Saturday morning as the Matildas drew with Switzerland in the first international friendly between the two countries.
The 1-1 ending not quite the result the Matildas were after but they go again on Tuesday morning, AEDT, against Germany.
See you then!
1h agoFri 25 Oct 2024 at 8:21pm
Another record broken14,370 turned out at Stadion Letzigrund for Switzerland and Australia's clash.
The crowd the most for the Swiss Women's national team. Not bad, football fans.
1h agoFri 25 Oct 2024 at 8:16pm
Not the result the Matildas were afterSwitzerland looked the more dominant side in the second half and the Matildas will definitely be ruing missed chances today, hopefully we can step up for the game against Germany in Duisburg next week.
- Adam
Australia's only goalscorer against Switzerland Caitlin Foord said while it was great to be back out there with the Matildas, it was not scoreline they were after.
"To get the point tonight I think we're a little bit disappointed not to come away from the win and we wanted to keep a clean sheet tonight," Foord told Paramount plus.
"So, a few things that we can work on but I think positive for our first game back together.
Foord's goal came from a penalty, her first from that source for Australia since 2019.
"It's always an honour to score for my country and to do it from the penalty spot, it's something I've been working on, so I'm super happy.," she said.
Australia had just three shots on target. Foord had one goal from four shots.
2h agoFri 25 Oct 2024 at 8:06pm
What's next for the Matildas?Australia's next game is against Germany on Tuesday, October 29, in another international friendly.
And not quite a school night but rather a school morning with kick-off set for 4:10am AEDT.
That's over at the MSV-Arena in Duisburg.
2h agoFri 25 Oct 2024 at 8:03pm
Thanks for joining me!Thanks for the updates Marns - kept me in the loop getting everything set for junior cricket this morning. Glad to see you doing so well over here at Aunty
- Bouncing Pill
It was an early one, so I appreciate all the readers coming along for the ride.
Now back to bed? Or maybe for another cup of coffee...
2h agoFri 25 Oct 2024 at 8:02pm
Swiss just the better side in the second halfBoth teams played well. Sermanni needs a bit more time to prove himself though.
- Natty
It looked like the Matildas might get a good handle on the game after Caitlin Foord slotted through the opening goal, right on the eve of half-time.
It was a needed bit of energy to take into the break but Switzerland ended up being the side to come out firing in the second.
The Swiss were able to create more chances for themselves in the second half, making one in particular count with a goal through Geradline Reuteler. It was the equaliser that ended up squaring the match for full-time.
Switzerland 1-1 Australia
Key Event
2h agoFri 25 Oct 2024 at 7:56pm
There you have it. Australia scored one goal in the first half, Switzerland one in the second.
While great to see the Matildas on the scoresheet - and a debut in Daniela Galic - not the result Tom Sermanni would have been after in his first outing as the interim coach.
Switzerland 1-1 Australia
2h agoFri 25 Oct 2024 at 7:53pm
Four minutes of stoppage timeAustralia need to find a goal, quickly, to get back on the winner's list.
It feels like the Matildas just need one good moment. They've been peppering.
Switzerland 1-1 Australia
2h agoFri 25 Oct 2024 at 7:52pm
Alisha Lehmann comes onOh, that was close. Switzerland had a shot that hit the crossbar but would have given Matildas fans a fair amount of anxiety.
Meanwhile, the crowd has gone up a notch with fan-favourite Alisha Lehmann coming on. She's a popular figure - let's see if she can cause some damage to Australia.
Switzerland 1-1 Australia
2h agoFri 25 Oct 2024 at 7:47pm
Five minutes to goWhat can the Matildas do here?
Sharn Freier has been lively since coming on at the 79th minute, including launching it towards the box. She couldn't quite get the purchase on it with Caitlin Foord ending up chasing it.
But the ball has been in Australia's attacking half the last few minutes. Good signs. Could there be a winner here?
2h agoFri 25 Oct 2024 at 7:42pm
Sermanni likes a subGreat to see Sermanni making some much needed changes to the side at this stage in the game, hopefully Michelle Heyman can score some crucial goals and the back line with Freier and Catley can continue to stifle the dangerous Swiss attack.
- Adam
Well, that's not something Matildas fans are used to in recent year. Plenty of subs!
Just 10 minutes left of play, and the Matildas need a goal here. It's 1-1.
2h agoFri 25 Oct 2024 at 7:40pm
A Matildas debut!18-year-old Daniela Galic has finally got her opportunity with the Australian senior side and made her debut for the Matildas.
She's now number Matilda number 229. This is a moment she'll never forget and, being a likely future star, one for the history books too.
She comes on with Clare Wheeler and Emily van Egmond.
2h agoFri 25 Oct 2024 at 7:35pm
Carpenter with a pingEllie Carpenter put the Swiss goalkeeper under plenty of pressure when she shot the ball across the face of the box.
While not a shot on goal necessarily, a threatening moment nonetheless.
Carpenter is starting to push forward. Could she make something happen here?
Switzerland 1-1 Australia
2h agoFri 25 Oct 2024 at 7:32pm
Not a moment to rewatchMy Twitter (sorry X) feed was full on exclamations not appropriate for the national broadcaster's live blog when Switzerland scored that last goal. So we'll go with this commenter.
I agree, Natty, 'oh, boy' indeed.
2h agoFri 25 Oct 2024 at 7:30pm
Foord with another go on goalCaitlin Foord did well to get her head to ball coming in from a rare corner. However, she couldn't direct it down towards goal.
Foord is the only Matilda who's had any real chances to score this game. She could use some help this second half.
Switzerland 1-1 Australia
2h agoFri 25 Oct 2024 at 7:27pm
Sermanni makes three changesMatildas get an injection of fresh legs and leadership.
Tom Sermanni makes three big changes with Michelle Heyman, Steph Catley and Sharn Freier coming on.
Coming off is Kaitlyn Torpey, Tameka Yallop and Courtney Nevin.
Carpenter has given the captain's armband to Catley.
2h agoFri 25 Oct 2024 at 7:23pm
Matildas' blunderAnother poor effort at clearing the ball leading to the Swiss goal. Sorry Tom I do not see anything new or any improvement. Seems you have just taken over where Tony left off. Early days though!
- Barry
Australia had plenty of opportunity to clear the ball, which ended up being the equaliser. There were Matilda shirts in numbers, but the Swiss found their way through.
Plenty of time for Australia to redeem themselves but they are in some danger here. Switzerland are applying a lot of pressure.
As Grace Gill said on the coverage: "The Swiss have the Aussies pinned in their defensive half at the moment."
Switzerland 1-1 Australia
Key Event
2h agoFri 25 Oct 2024 at 7:20pm
Ok, never mind what I just said about the Matildas looking good on attack and holding possession. As soon as I pressed send, Switzerland took control.
And it was Geraldine Reuteler who made it count with a goal. They found the equaliser to square things up.
Australia are going to have to be careful not to let more holes in their defence appear, while still being aggressive in attack.
Switzerland 1-1 Australia
2h agoFri 25 Oct 2024 at 7:16pm
Matildas keep on the attackCailtin Foord had another shot on goal from distance - which was cleared.
Australia are holding good possession so far this second half and have had a few good passages of play. The ball has spent a good amount of time in their attacking half, but they'll need someone to break through the Swiss defence.
And their own defence will have to hold up too. Matildas are playing in a 5-3-2.
Australia lead 0-1
