Stalwarts Caitlin Foord and Alanna Kennedy scored to lift Australia to a spirited 3-1 triumph against Mexico in their women’s soccer friendly in Sydney.

After losing 1-0 to the Mexicans in Saturday’s series opener, the Matildas prevailed in the second and final friendly on Tuesday night.

Strikes from Kennedy and Foord, in her 150th international, and an own goal delivered victory before an 18,441-strong crowd in Parramatta.

Veteran Kennedy scored in the 22nd minute before Mexico’s Diana Ordonez, who netted the late winner in the opening fixture, replied four minutes later.

Australia’s star striker Sam Kerr played a role in the home side’s second goal, with her crisp right-footer hitting a post before hitting the Mexican goalkeeper Esthefanny Torres’s back and rolling back into the net.

The world No.15 Matildas enjoyed the bulk of early possession but two shaky passes in defence by Winonah Heatley gifted the visitors, ranked 29th in the world, separate chances they couldn’t convert.

Kennedy then gave Australia the lead with a neatly taken goal.

From a Kerr header, Kennedy won a contested possession and, swivelling on her right foot, scored into the left corner of the net with a strike that deflected from Torres’s leg.

Mexico levelled just two minutes later when Ordonez, who scored the winner in the first friendly in Newcastle last Saturday night, netted a sweetly-struck right-footer from 10 metres out.

But in the 36th minute, Australia regained ascendancy after the influential Ellie Carpenter made ground along the right flank and crossed to Kerr in the danger area.

Kerr’s instinctive first-timer beat a diving Torres but struck the right goalpost, only for the ball to rebound into the back of the Mexican ‘keeper and roll into the net for an own goal.

The Australians went 3-1 ahead in the 70th minute when Foord scored in her milestone match after a downfield dash by teammate Kaitlyn Torpey.

Taking possession some 25 metres inside her own half, Torpey tore into attack before delivering a superbly weighted pass into Foord’s path.

Foord, after having her jersey tugged by a Mexican defender, broke free, turned on her right foot, and unleashed a curling strike into the net.

“It’s an honour to represent my country so many times,” Foord told host broadcaster Paramount.

“And to top it off with a goal is special, but I am just happy that we won the game.

“We want to be the team that dominates ... that is something we have got to build on now and continue going on to the (2027) World Cup.”