10:32

Australia ended 2018 on a high with a thumping 5-0 victory over Chile. After losing 3-2 to the same opponents just three days before it was a welcome return to form for Alen Stajcic’s side.

There was no sign of the carnage to come at half-time when the game was scoreless and to that point played largely on Chile’s terms. After the break Australia had the wind at their backs and that allowed them to maintain phases of attacking pressure on a Chilean defence unable to clear their lines.

The catalyst of the goal blitz was Caitlin Foord. She set up Sam Kerr’s opener and then helped herself to three of her own - her first international hat-trick. In between Emily Gielnik came off the bench to bag her fifth in a Matildas shirt.

The focussed intensity and industry of the second half revealed how potent the Matildas can be at their best with Kerr, Foord and Butt hassling and harrying Chile at every opportunity. By contrast in the first half it was disjointed and manic with passes going astray and moves breaking down.



Australia must now cross their fingers and hope their ranking holds in advance of the 2019 World Cup draw in December. On first-half form they would be no threat in France, if they play like they did in the second half they will be a force to be reckoned with.