Stay tuned for the match report from the one and only Joey Lynch who is at Marvel Stadium.
Kahli Johnson was not expecting to start tonight!
To be honest, starting was quite surprising to me, I was just hoping to gain experience and get what I could take out of it. Finding that out and having that experience to walk out and hearing all of the fans was surreal. It was nothing I could have imagined.
"I'm going to claim that everyday of my life" 😜
— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) May 30, 2025
Kaitlyn Torpey explains THAT goal!#AUSvARG continues on Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/1S6MjF7HDa
Kaitlyn Torpey is chatting to the broadcaster now. She says she will be claiming that goal to her name “every day of her life”.
Full time: Australia 2-0 Argentina
Welcome to the Matildas Kahli Johnson, what a standout performance from the youngster tonight. Tireless work from Wheeler and Grant as well, they did not stop running, pushing all game. Australia keep their clean sheet and get the job done.
94 mins: Kennedy gets into some ping pong trying to clear the ball on the sideline, but it is eventually sent back up to halfway. And that’s time.
93 mins: Australia are not letting up in these final minutes. A long pass from Nevin is looking for a runner but ends up going straight through to Chavez.
92 mins: Nevin’s corner is cleared back out to her, and the second cross in is cleared.
91 mins: Four more minutes. Heyman crosses in from the left and Chavez comes out for the double punch clearance.
90 mins: Heyman passes through to Grant who slams the ball into the chest of Chavez. Grant has worked very, very hard this evening.
89 mins: Micah is forced into action again as the new defenders are caught slightly off guard. On the counter attack Torpey cuts inside as the keeper comes out but there’s no teammate in position.
87 mins: Two more changes for the Matildas. Rankin is off for Courtney Nevin, and Johnson comes too for Tash Pryor.
86 mins: Heyman disposses the last defender and looks like she might have a clear shot on goal but the referee blows the whistle and Argentina have a free kick.
85 mins: Sayer looks a little unsure so far but she gets a shot off that goes just wide.
84 mins: Another change for Argentina, thats five now. And it looks like the Matildas are going to make a double change next.
82 mins: Heyman gives up a freekick near halfway but Argentina quickly turn it over.
81 mins: The crowd is 43,020 tonight at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne. Matildas mania has not let up yet it would seem.
80 mins: Argentina make a break and one of the new substitutes gets off a shot on target, straight to Micah.
77 mins: Wheeler is making way for Leah Davidson in midfield. Torpey is coming off for Brylee Henry on the right.
Updated
76 mins: There’s a pause as both teams make changes and an Argentinian is down getting some treatment, ah no she is coming off too.
75 mins: Heyman doesn’t look as fresh on her feet as say Wheeler or Johnson at the moment.
74 mins: A clever through pass to Heyman on the run from Johnson is timed beautifully. Heyman taps it just wide of the far post. Johnson is impeccable tonight.
72 mins: CHANCE! Wheeler works it deftly through the Argentinian defence and snaps of a shot towards the near post forcing Chavez into an excellent save.
71 mins: There’s nearly a repeat of unintended goals but it bounces of the crossbar.
GOAL! Australia: Torpey 69'
A long ball over to Kaitlyn Torpey on the right and she crosses it in to Heyman and Johnson but it, uh, goes in! She looks a bit sheepish but that is indeed a goal.
If anyone asks, it was definitely a shot 🤭
— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) May 30, 2025
Kaitlyn Torpey doubles @TheMatildas advantage through a wicked cross that finds the back of the net!#AUSvARG continues LIVE on Paramount+ 📺 pic.twitter.com/cZQZvVVq94
Updated
67 mins: The Matildas are going to make two changes. Michelle Heyman is coming on for McNamara. Amy Sayer is coming on for Van Egmond. This is Sayer’s first game for the national team since her ACL injury.
66 mins: Argentina work it forward, for the first time this half it feels like. Johnson bangs it forward to McNamara on the counter attack but she can’t get there before Chavez.
65 mins: Wheeler turns on the ball in midfield and takes it all the way into the box. She is dispossessed by McNamara gets a shot off which is saved.
64 mins: She goes for goal but it’s not on target, curling high and to the left.
63 mins: Kennedy steps up to take it, absolutely within her range.
62 mins: Van Egmond is brought down a few meters short of the area, Australia have a free kick within scoring range.
61 mins: Lovely couple of passes between Van Egmond, Johnson and McNamara but a bit too much heat on it and McNamara’s header bounces very high and over the crossbar.
60 mins: Van Egmond takes the corner which is headed clear. Grant sends it back in and finds McNamara but her glancing header goes over the touchline.
59 mins: Grant is everywhere, swapping back and forward with Kennedy. Wheeler traces a path through the centre and sends it across to Rankin who can’t control it.
58 mins: 30 minutes to go, will Sermanni tinker with this set up or just let them have more time to work together?
57 mins: Kennedy’s kick forward goes out and Argentina are making two changes.
56 mins: Chavez appears to be OK. There might be some other changes though. Van Egmond gives possession back to Argentina at the drop-ball.
55 mins: According to the commentators Argentina have only brought one goalkeeper with them, so an outfield player will need to step between the posts if Chavez has to go off.
54 mins: Somehow Hunt is moonlighting as a left winger and crosses it in to Kennedy in the box who clatters into the keeper Chavez with her legs. Play is stopped while Chavez gets checked out.
53 mins: Rankin’s corner is cleared and picked up down the field by Grant.
52 mins: The way Heatley moves in the backline reminds me of the way Hunt first came in to the team before the Women’s World Cup. She looks at home. It’s an Australian corner.
51 mins: Kennedy has also not seen much of the action, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
50 mins: The Matildas are in control again at the start of the second half. Van Egmond is a little annoyed by a call from the referee, maybe some frustrating boiling over from her lack of involvement so far too.
49 mins: CHANCE! Johnson collects the ball on the edge of the area and turns and shoots sending it just wide of the near post.
48 mins: Micah is drawn out to clear and sends it up to Johnson who can’t make anything of it this time.
47 mins: Kahli Johnson is back in action straight away, passing through to Rankin as she leads up the left and then cuts it back in to Johnson. Her shot is on target but weak.
Some of the action from the first half:
Half-time: Australia 1-0 Argentina
Fun football! That was exciting, promising stuff from the Matildas. Take out those bigs names and replace them with a whole new set up and let them do their thing …
45 mins: Argentina end the half with a wasted throw in – a bit reflective of their half to be honest. And Kahli Johnson jogs off the pitch collecting high fives and back pats with a smile.
44 mins: A long cross in from Heatley nearly finds Torpey but she doesn’t quite reach it and Chavez scoops it up.
42 mins: Hunt goes one on one in the area but is able to neatly clean it up and bring things back under control.
40 mins: McNamara works it with Torpey on the right but it’s tapped out for a Matildas throw.
Updated
39 mins: Johnson’s still got a grin on her face. But it’s wiped off as she’s knocked off her feet and appeals for a foul on the sideline.
GOAL! Australia: Kahli Johnson 37'
The debutant scores!!!
A ferocious run Grant from halfway and she balances herself before crossing beautifully over to the head of Johnson at the far post. She controls is nicely into the net. Wow. What a debut goal.
KAHLI JOHNSON ON INTERNATIONAL DEBUT! 🔥
— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) May 30, 2025
A pinpoint cross from Charli Grant sees 🧢 #237 make her debut in the best way possible to put @TheMatildas up just before the break 😍#AUSvARG is LIVE on Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/8E8N7HRYg2
Updated
36 mins: The pace has definitely picked up, by which I mean Argentina have picked up theirs and the Matildas are under a bit of pressure. Some questionable defending from Argentina with a weak pass back but the keeper controls it.
35 mins: Possession is turning over so fast in the middle at the moment. It’s moving quickly. Both teams could do with taking a breath before the next charge.
34 mins: Argentina are probing a bit more now, Heatley handles them with ease though.
33 mins: the free kick comes in short, a nice attempt at a set play but it’s cleared calmly by Wheeler for a throw in.
32 mins: Rankin feels solid over on the left. Another good clearance. Then Argentina have another free kick.
31 mins: A brief pause as An Argentinian player tests her ankle. Some messy tackling in front of the coaches area.
30 mins: Argentina build again from their keeper, but three passes later its back to Australia and out off a deflection from Johnson.
29 mins: A bit of frustration showing perhaps, Clare Wheeler giving up a foul for a silly tackle.
28 mins: A Matildas back pass misses its mark and Argentina take back possession briefly before lugging it forward and losing it again.
27 mins: Johnson again getting herself into the right places up front but Argentina intercept at the last moment. She looks strong and confident… like Sermanni said.
26 mins: Argentina have a free kick and Torpey is on the counterattack but can’t get past two defenders.
24 mins: Grant plants a lovely cross at the feat of Johnson in the box but the flag goes up. A bit of inexpereince showing there for Johnson not quite timing her run.
23 mins: Why does Kyra Cooney-Cross always look like she’s done something she shouldn’t have when the camera goes to her! Also what a bench: Heyman, Catley, Foord…
22 mins: Argentina chip it over the Australian backline but there’s no one coming to support so Micah collects it. Sermanni and Van Egmond are having a chat on the sideline.
20 mins: Australia are totally in control in this opening play. They look aggressive and exciting even if they aren’t getting the shots off yet.
19 mins: The crowd noise peaks as McNamara and Torpey link up again and then louder once more as Heatley power up the middle to shoot the rebound over the crossbar.
Updated
18 mins: McNamara dribbles into the area and is brilliantly tackled. The corner in from Rankin bounces out to Torpey who pummels it in low, but can’t penetrate the defence.
Updated
17 mins: Not much happening through the middle so far, it’s all out on the wings.
16 mins: Argentina press forward on the left but it’s called offside, cutting their burst short.
15 mins: Argentina’s passing is a bit lazy and the Matildas have the pressure on forcing little errors. They’re turning it over very easily.
14 mins: Rankin’s corner is cleared. Argentina transition well and have their first shot in anger which doesn’t trouble Micah in goal, soaring high.
13 mins: Argentina get a free kick as McNamara bumps her Argentinian counterpart on the edge of the area. But it’s instantly come back for an Australian corner.
Updated
12 mins: A chance as McNamara pops it over the crossbar off a cross from Torpey.
Updated
11 mins: There are some lovely connections happening, Australia need to keep pushing and working the gaps and something will come.
10 mins: Some neat tight passing with Van Egmond and Charli Grant but they can’t keep it going, out for a goal kick.
9 mins: Rankin sends in a high cross in from distance which the Argentinian keeper picks up easily. The visitors are not making the most of their possessions so far.
8 mins: Argentina take possession, passing it between their back four and then send it out of bounds at the half way mark.
7 mins: Hunt long ball up to Johnson all the way on the touch line, the balls comes all the way through to Torpey on the right and they reset.
6 mins: Nice run up the left from Johnson, set up by Rankin. Johnson crosses into Torpey but it’s wasted.
5 mins: Argentina have a couple of throws amount to nought. Kennedy and Micah tidy up.
4 mins: Grant and Wheeler pass back and forth, probing for opportunities forward, for gaps, but it’s dense.
3 mins: Kahli Johnson gets her first couple touches, ending in giving up a foul high on the left.
Updated
2 mins: The Matildas work it around this unfamiliar back four. Grant connects with Torpey up the right but it comes back quickly to Kennedy in the middle.
Updated
Kick-off
Peeeeeeeeeeeeep!
I LOVE the black and fluro pink and green away kit jackets the Matildas are wearing … But they don’t really scream Australia.
OK I did write that kick-off was 8pm, which was what we were told. But Sermanni is now receiving a special shirt to celebrate his 150 games.
The teams are lined up on the pitch for the anthems.
Updated
They’re in the tunnel. Emily van Egmond is captain tonight leading them out.
In case you missed it yesterday: Sermanni let everyone know what he thinks about the state of the A-League Women during the pregame press conference. He said the lack of professionalism for players and staff in the league is dragging Australian women’s football down as the rest of the world ploughs ahead.
Marvel is starting to fill up now, about 40,000-strong crowd expected, and it’s a chilly 12C! The teams have finished their warm ups.
Today marks 15 years since the Matildas won the Asian Cup in Chengdu, China. If you look back at the footage you’ll see some very familiar faces – Sam Kerr, Clare Polkinghorne, Tameka Yallop and others, plus coach Tom Sermanni at the helm.
(It’s also Sermanni’s 150th match as Matildas coach – probably not a milestone he ever expected he would reach!)
📆 #OnThisDay in 2010, we lifted the history-making 2010 AFC Women’s Asian Cup title, becoming the first Australian senior national team to win an Asian Football Confederation title! 🏆🇦🇺
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) May 30, 2025
🎥 Watch the full documentary: https://t.co/J4h8o154Qn#Matildas pic.twitter.com/ffk8oluHl7
Argentina line-up
Argentina XI:
#SelecciónFemenina Once inicial de @Argentina 🫡 pic.twitter.com/4IuUwweAO3
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) May 30, 2025
What do we know about debutant Kahli Johnson? Sermanni says she’s a bit of an old-fashioned player – robust, competitive, well rounded. It’s not only her first cap it’s also her first senior call-up (she has been in the young Matildas ranks).
Australia line-up
Australia XI:
STARTING XI 🗒
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) May 30, 2025
Here's how we line up for our game against Argentina at Marvel Stadium 👊
☝️Kahli Johnson makes her debut for Australia, becoming cap no. 237.#Matildas #AUSvARG #VisitMelbourne #VisitVictoria pic.twitter.com/WxggDY1Uqz
Still basking in their Champions League glory, Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Steph Catley may be shaking off the jetlag as they only touched down in Australia a couple of days ago. If we do see them my guess is it will be for a brief appearance only.
So where is Sam Kerr????
The last we heard from Chelsea coach Sonia Bompastor was that she still didn’t have a clear answer on when Kerr would return to the pitch. The Matildas captain has been out for 16 months after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury during warm weather training in early January 2024.
The state of Kerr’s fitness may be unknown but I can almost guarantee the state of her sleep is at an all time low, thanks to new baby Jagger. Kerr and partner Kristie Mewis announced the birth of their boy in early May.
A reminder of who’s in and who’s out of the extended squad.
OUT (injuries and personal leave): Mackenzie Arnold, Hayley Raso, Tameka Yallop, Ellie Carpenter, Katrina Gorry, Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler
IN: Morgan Aquino, Tegan Micah, Jada Whyman; Steph Catley, Charlotte Grant, Winonah Heatley, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy, Courtney Nevin, Natasha Prior, Jamilla Rankin; Kyra Cooney-Cross, Leah Davidson, Isabel Gomez, Amy Sayer*, Emily van Egmond, Clare Wheeler; Caitlin Foord, Bryleeh Henry, Michelle Heyman, Kahli Johnson, Holly McNamara, Kaitlyn Torpey
There’s four potential debutants on the list: Aquino, Whyman, Gomez and Johnson.
*Such exciting news for Sayer back in the squad for the first time since her ACL injury!
Preamble
Hello and welcome to the Guardian’s live blog of the first of two international friendlies between the Matildas and Argentina. It’s Jo Khan here, and I’ve got you covered for all the pregame news and minute-by-minute football action.
The last time we saw the Matildas on home soil was in April when they took two wins from two against South Korea. The overarching feeling after the second match was, “how good is Mary Fowler?” Oh dear. That sentiment, while remaining true, amounts to little since Fowler now faces a long recovery from an ACL injury sustained during Manchester City’s FA Cup semi-final defeat in mid-April.
With no Fowler, no Sam Kerr, other injuries, personal absences and several veterans coming off heavy seasons overseas, the fresh faces in the Matildas camp are going to be called on to do heavier lifting than usual. It could make for a surprising game, and one debutant is in the starting XI!
If you want to get in touch, shoot me an email. Where are you following along from? What’s for dinner/breakfast/lunch? Who are you most excited to see stretch their legs today? Let me know your thoughts, and let’s get into it.
