Caitlin Foord scores classy goal as Matildas cruise past Mexico

Caitlin Foord bagged an impressive goal for the Matildas in their 2-0 over Mexico, as the winger stepped up with a classy effort for her 36th goal for Australia in an entertaining test ahead of the Paris Olympics.

Cutting in from the wing as she loves to do, she took on her defender at the edge of the box before curling in an absolute beauty for a trademark Foord goal.

While the starting XI wasn’t quite as experimental as many had suggested and hoped for, Tony Gustavsson’s Australia side did notch up more important minutes and kept their goalscoring streak alive in Texas as his nearly first-strength XI found minimal issues against El Tri Femenil.

Hayley Raso hasn’t had much game time at club level with Real Madrid since her heroics in the FIFA Women’s World Cup last year, but it only took her nine minutes to open the scoring. The winger received the ball from Foord before she danced around the edge of the box, firing a low hard shot into the back of the net, notching her 17th goal for her country.

Foord’s wonder goal came after the break, with Australia playing smart attacking football not dissimilar to their last few outings against Asian opposition in the Olympic Qualifiers. The Arsenal winger is carrying further weight of expectation following Sam Kerr’s ACL injury but showed she’s capable of stepping up.

Australia actively played out from the back against the world No.31, dealing with a relentless press, with hard-running defender Ellie Carpenter working tirelessly to create opportunities.

With Clare Hunt, Katrina Gorry, Sam Kerr, and several more out injuried and with just 18 spots on their roster for the Olympics, Gustavsson instead used the 90 minutes to try new tactics with his core group.

The head coach said the match was “exactly what we needed ahead of the Olympics”, remarking the players grew into the game and that the second half was one of the best halves his side had played.

Mackenzie Arnold had a strong game, with the goalkeeper only forced into action once by Mexico late in proceedings in San Antonio.

Steph Catley stepped in for Hunt in the backline, while Kaitlyn Torpey kept her spot at fullback following impressive showings against Uzbekistan. Brisbane Roar youngster Sharn Freier enjoyed her first cap for Australia, with her Gustavsson saying her training performances had earned her minutes.

Cortnee Vine, Clare Wheeler, and Claire Polkinghorne all played for half an hour off the bench, with versatility an absolute requirement ahead of the Olympics.

The Matildas also had their Olympics group rounded out prior to kick-off, as Zambia were confirmed as the fourth side in Group B alongside heavyweights Germany and the United States.