Germany beat Australia 4-2 at Wildpark Stadium in Karlsruhe, taking control of much of a friendly between the world No. 3 side and the Matildas, ranked No. 15. The difference showed on the pitch. Germany repeatedly cut through Australia's defence, while Australia struggled to keep possession after going two goals down.
Rank Meets the Match
The game opened the October International window as both teams prepared for next year's Women's World Cup in Brazil. It was Australia's first friendly since June, and Mary Fowler wasn't available. Tori Tumeth, Courtney Newbon and Hana Lowry hoped to make their debuts in Karlsruhe; Tumeth came on late and earned Matildas cap No. 244.
Australia started evenly. In the second minute, Ellie Carpenter sent a cross toward Sam Kerr, but Germany goalkeeper Ena Mahmutovic got to it first. Cora Zicai sent a chance wide in the third minute. Carpenter crossed again in the seventh, with Amy Sayer and Kerr involved, but Australia's attack couldn't break through Germany's defence.
Germany started to take control. During the opening 10 minutes, the referee spoke to Caitlin Foord, and the crowd at Wildpark Stadium drew descriptions of being loud. Clare Wheeler collided with Melissa Kossler as Germany created chances, while Kaitlyn Torpey made defensive interventions. Foord and Kerr later combined in an attempt to equalise, but Germany's defence shut them down.
Kossler opened the scoring in the 24th minute, finishing a cross from Carlotta Wamser. Six minutes later, she scored again. Germany kept finding openings as Australia struggled to retain possession. Earlier, Sam Kerr had gone down after a challenge caught her right ankle; she walked off looking uncomfortable, then returned to the pitch. A run onto a long ball from Emily Van Egmond was flagged offside.
A Response, Then More Pressure
Kerr cut the deficit just before half-time. In the 45th minute, Carpenter drove down the wing and sent in a low, hard cross, which Kerr headed home to make it 2-1. At the interval, the live blog said Australia needed more energy and organisation. It also noted that both teams were missing key players.
Australia looked more organised early in the second half. Wheeler hit the crossbar from range in the 56th minute after a corner, nearly levelling the score. Kossler then made Mackenzie Arnold save low in the bottom-right corner. Kossler was later flagged offside and challenged outside the box. Australia won more corners through Van Egmond and created chances, but couldn't provide the final touch.
At 64 minutes, Joe Montemurro sent on Holly McNamara, Alana Murphy, Leticia McKenna and Courtney Nevin. Steph Catley, Amy Sayer, Emily van Egmond and Kerr came off. Germany continued to threaten. Nicole Anyomi shot wide in the 78th minute, and Zicai tested Arnold in the 81st.
Late Goals Don't Change the Result
McNamara took a close-range kick-out from the goalkeeper to the shoulder, possibly also the face or head, in the 73rd minute and received an on-field assessment. She later left with blood coming from her mouth; the live blog noted her history of injuries.
Germany made it 3-1 in the 83rd minute when Camilla Kuver headed in from a corner. Tumeth and Remy Siemsen replaced Wini Heatley and Hayley Raso in the 87th minute, and Tumeth made her debut.
Australia scored through McNamara in stoppage time, finishing a move through the middle to make it 3-2 at 90 minutes. Germany immediately restored its two-goal lead when Sjoeke Nusken scored from a corner Australia hadn't fully cleared. The final score was 4-2 to Germany. The live coverage described McNamara, Raso and Torpey as impressive, while Kerr and Arnold looked visibly displeased at times. Australia next plays Haiti on Wednesday at 6:00am AEST, in the second of the two October-window friendlies.