THEY did things the hard way, but they did them just the same.

The Matildas have beaten Norway 4-3 in sensational scenes in their Algarve Cup opener, with Clare Polkinghorne scrambling home the winning goal in the 95th minute.

It wrapped up a tremendous contest in awful wet and windy conditions, where Australia first trailed by a goal, then took a comprehensive lead, before almost coughing up all three points.

Both sides hit the scoreboard in the first 13 minutes.

It was Norway who struck first through Elise Thorsnes, who played for Canberra United in the W-League this season.

Thorsnes beat Alanna Kennedy to the ball and scored in the 11th minute after a great cross from Kristine Minde.

Then the Matildas hit back straight away — something which has become a trademark of Alen Stajcic’s side.

Elise Kellond-Knight whipped a brilliant corner kick onto the head of Polkinghorne, with the veteran defender heading home in the 13th minute.

Then, Chloe Logarzo punished Norway goalkeeper Ingrid Hjelmseth who parried a mis-hit clearance straight to the Matilda. Logarzo buried the chance to give the Matildas a 2-1 lead.

Then, Sam Kerr broke another record — scoring in her seventh consecutive game to hand her team a 3-1 lead.

It was courtesy of a delightful ball from Lisa De Vanna, who split the Norway defence with a scintillating through-ball.

But in the opening minutes of the second half, Norway hit back.

Mackenzie Arnold failed to deal with a wind-affected corner, saving the ball onto the crossbar, with Norway’s Lisa-Marie Karlsend Utland on hand to head home in the 52nd minute.

Then, teenage defender Ellie Carpenter was penalised for needlessly fouling Guro Reiten in the area, with Thorsnes converting the penalty to make it 3-3.

The, in the 95th minute, the Matildas somehow found a way to force the ball over the line in a goalline scramble.

Emily van Egmond’s corner caused the initial chaos, with Kellond-Knight flicking the ball forward. Larissa Crummer headed it goalward, before Polkinghorne slammed it home.

KERR BREAKS ANOTHER RECORD

SAM Kerr, you’ve done it again.

It took until the 31st minute for Australia’s talisman to truly make her mark against Norway.

But when she got her chance, Kerr certainly delivered.

De Vanna slipped a brilliant ball between three Norway defenders to find the Australian striker.

And Kerr was as cool as you like with the finish, slotting the ball past Ingrid Hjelmseth to put Australia up 3-1.

Sam Kerr celebrates a goal. Source: FOX SPORTS

The goal was Kerr’s 12th in seven matches, while she also set a new Matildas record in scoring in her seventh consecutive game. That said, she was breaking her own record of scoring in six consecutive games, set in her previous game against China. Prior to Kerr’s latest run, former Matilda Sarah Walsh (five consecutive games) had held the record.

Despite her feat, the striker often cut a frustrated figure in the second half.

Kerr was caught offside on several occasions, was less-than clinical with her finishing and had a penalty shout denied in the 76th minute.

She also looked set to score the winner in the 89th minute, only for that too to be ruled out as offside, while she blasted another shot over the bar in injury time.

But she surely won’t be too fazed after yet another goal helped her team kick off their Algarve Cup campaign with a win.

Okay okay okay, I would of liked to have kept all my nails @TheMatildas but I’ll take that! I see you @clarepolks89 with the double 👏🏽 — Caitlin Foord (@CaitlinFoord) February 28, 2018

HOW INJURY-HIT MATILDAS PUNISHED NORWAY

As rumoured leading into the match, Steph Catley and Hayley Raso – both under injury clouds heading into the game – did not feature in the match day squad.

With the likes of Caitlin Foord, Emily Gielnik and Kyah Simon also unavailable, it left Alen Stajcic with some selection quandaries.

Fortunately, Stajcic has focused on building a versatile side throughout his tenure.

And he still had the star triumvirate of Kellond-Knight, Emily van Egmond and Katrina Gorry at his disposal.

While Kellond-Knight was predominately playing at left back, she also dropped into the midfield at times, allowing Tameka Butt to press forward.

Kellond-Knight in particular was dominant, controlling the pace of the game and setting the Matildas’ tempo with her calm work in both defence and midfield.

The Matildas' starting line-up pre-game. Source: FOX SPORTS

Logarzo, Kellond-Knight and Ellie Carpenter all rotated through the left-back role, while the former deserves credit for her quick response to pickpocket the Matildas’ second goal off the back of a goalkeeping error.

Crucially, Stajcic picked players who had been in form at club level, with Clare Polkinghorne’s brace and – aside from one early failed clearance – superb performance at the back setting the example.

The Matildas’ trademark high press meant Norway’s defence were consistently under pressure, while their forwards rarely got a look-in.

Dominate display. They really do have the high press down pat #AUSvNOR — Sarah Walsh (@swalshy9) February 28, 2018

Indeed, so dominant was Stajcic’s team, the Matildas went into half-time with a commanding 3-1 lead and looked set to go on with it.

HOW THINGS NEARLY FELL APART

Norway seemingly came out of the half-time with a rejuvenated mindset — and that bizarre, swirling wind at their back.

They got more run going forward and caught the Matildas’ defence out on more occasions — and earned their rewards, with two early goals.

From there, they had their own chances to win the game, with the Matildas’ frustrated midfield losing the ball in possession more frequently than in the first half.

Norway celebrate their opening goal. Source: FOX SPORTS

Don’t forget — Norway are a quality side who would have been stinging from their poor first half, where they were arguably completely played off the park. These were also very poor conditions for both sides to play in, making it difficult to play as clinically as the Matildas’ recent games in Australia.

Keep in mind, too, that Alen Stajcic will be using these games as an opportunity to test out players in different positions.

Youngster Carpenter, off the back of the penalty that saw Norway equalise, spent time in the midfield, while Logarzo was used in both full-back roles.

Crummer — off the back of a tough W-League season — and Michelle Heyman also got some much-needed gametime.

While there are plenty of learnings to take out of this performance, Australia still found a way to get the result.

After all, quality teams find a way to get it done — even if it involves the jammiest of goals.

WHAT’S NEXT

THE Matildas will now take on Portugal in their second game on Friday (Saturday Australian time).

Portugal beat China 1-0 in their opening game, courtesy of a long-range goal from Carole Costa.

Date: Friday, 2 March 2018

Venue: Estadio Algarve, Algarve, Portugal

Kick-off: 3pm (local) (2am, Saturday, 3 March 2018 AEDT)

Broadcast: Live on FOX SPORTS 506

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THE MATILDAS STARTING XI

Arnold (GK); Kellond-Knight, Kennedy, Polkinghorne, Carpenter; van Egmond, Gorry, Butt; Logarzo, Kerr, De Vanna

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