The Matildas came out with a vengeance but it was not enough to re-write the record as Brazil stormed to a 2-1 victory on the Gold Coast on Sunday night.
Brazil scored successive victories after adding two quick-fire goals to take a strong lead in an ultra-aggressive match-up.
Both the Aussies and the 25,000-strong crowd at Cbus Super Stadium grew increasingly frustrated as several Brazilian players stayed down with seemingly inflated injuries to draw the match out.
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Ellie Carpenter is put under pressure by Aline Gomes during the Matildas’ friendly with Brazil. Matt Roberts via Getty Images
Taking up again from its 3-1 victory last Thursday, Brazil opened the scoring through midfielder Gabi Portilho in the 29th minute.
Portilho eluded Courtney Nevin before charging towards goal unchallenged and letting rip on a close-range strike.
Brazil quickly added a second through Lauren before Hayley Raso broke through for Australia with three minutes left in the opening half.
Caitlin Foord set up Raso with a pin-point cross to the back post before the hometown hero finished things off.
The visitors appeared aggrieved, believing they were robbed of a foul in the lead-up to the goal.
“It is perhaps a bit of their own medicine that they have been dishing out to the Matildas,” Grace Gill said in commentary for Ten.
“[There were] plenty the Australians didn’t get on Thursday evening.
“Revenge is a dish served cold and that was the coolest of finishes by the Matildas.”
Hayley Raso celebrates after scoring the Matildas’ opening goal against Brazil. Bradley Kanaris via Getty Images
There were plenty of nervous moments early for the Matildas with Teagan Micah immediately forced into saves in her return to Australia’s starting XI.
Brazil ramped up the pressure early, prepared to make a hot start.
“Brazil really picked up where they left off from Thursday night. Great attacking intensity,” Gill said in commentary for Ten.
Unlike the match in Brisbane where it could be argued that physicality often went unpoliced, Brazilian fullback Kaká was handed an early yellow card after a blatant attack on Foord within 10 minutes.
The Matildas’ first shot on target came from Raso with a long-range strike that was intercepted by Brazilian goalkeeper Lorena.
Brazil’s other fullback, Lauren, was subsequently shown a yellow card for another obvious holding foul, only this time on Raso.
Tameka Yallop and Ellie Carpenter both registered a shot before a free kick paid no dividends to the Matildas.
Lauren of Brazil celebrates with teammates after scoring her team’s second goal against Australia. Bradley Kanaris via Getty Images
At half-time, the Matildas trailed 2-1.
Newcastle Jets defender Natasha Prior made her international debut replacing Clare Hunt at the break while Sharn Freier came on for Foord who was restricted to 45 minutes.
Moments later, veteran midfielder Emily van Egmond was capped in international game 150, making way for Daniela Galic, before Nevin and Michelle Heyman switched with Charlie Grant and Emily Gielnik.
Shots to Galic and Gielnik had hearts in mouths as the Matildas hunted an equaliser but ultimately came up short with multiple chances going begging.
Usual captain Steph Catley played no part in the match after being ruled out in the warm-up with lower leg tightness.
The Matildas will next face Chinese Taipei at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Wednesday.
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2024-12-01 05:08:03