Above: The Matildas line up against Germany October 10. Image: Football Australia.
By Genevieve Henry (10/10/26).
The Matildas were outclassed by Germany Saturday morning at BBBank Wildpark in Karlsruhe, falling 4-2 in a high-scoring and defensively poor match.
After a MD-1 press conference where head coach Joe Montemurro said preparing for the 2027 World Cup did not mean putting out the best team, he chose a team reflecting the opposite sentiment. While they certainly did not perform like the best lineup, it included all the most experienced players, no surprises, and no players with much to learn about.
From kickoff, Australia’s stars got caught watching the game. They played with reluctance, hesitance, and a lack of belief.
Germany opened the scoring in the 24th minute off some beautiful build-up play. After slick passing from the midfield, Carlotta Wamser crossed the ball to Franziska Kett, who headed it across the face of goal. Mackenzie Arnold got a hand to the ball, but Melissa Kössler barreled it in to put Germany ahead. It was her first goal for her country.
Kössler doubled the score in the 30th minute with a belter on the break. It was Australia’s passing that let them down, in finally building momentum and throwing too many players up the field. Germany’s attack took advantage of their numbers and speed, but Kössler even beat the two defenders in the way.
Arnold should have done better on both goals. The defense looked lost and struggled to effectively clear the danger and communicate. The Matildas were sloppy; every bounce and stray ball went the way of Germany, who hustled and moved faster in all phases of play.
But there were rare periods when the Matildas looked competent, good, even. With quick passes often involving Ellie Carpenter or Sam Kerr, they found promising attacks. These forward moves caused issues in the first half; the second they lost the ball, Germany were on the break again.
It was Carpenter and Kerr who combined to pull one back in the final moments of the first half. Carpenter pulled off an incredible run and perfect cross to Kerr, who directed it in the back of the net with a world class finish.
While the first half finished only 2-1, it felt like 3-0. Kerr’s goal was crucial in the momentum of the game. The Matildas built into the match for a far more competitive second half.
Clare Wheeler had a shot that was tantalizingly close to an equalizer ten minutes into the second half. The tenacity of the Matildas made the game far more tense than in the first half as they searched for an equalizer.
Montemurro injected some fresh faces into the match after the 60th minute, bringing on Holly McNamara, Alana Murphy, Leticia McKenna, and Courtney Nevin for Kerr, Emily Van Egmond, Amy Sayer, and Steph Catley. Only Kerr made much of an impact on the field. Catley had some moments she would want to take back, especially in the lead-up to Germany’s opener.
The substitutes, particularly McNamara, contributed to Australia’s flowing chances. Siemsen got five minutes towards the end and Tori Tumeth made her Matildas debut.
While Australia’s forward motion was positive, they could not perfect the positioning. Too many players rushed up the field when on the attack, and none left behind were fast enough to deal with Germany’s many potent threats.
Camilla Küver put the nail in the coffin in the 83rd minute, heading in off a corner after a period of attacking momentum from Germany. While the score seemed hopeless, the Matildas weren’t done.
McNamara finally got her goal in the 90+2 minute. She was by far the most effective substitute, perhaps even the most effective player. Her speed and relentless running created problems for Germany. Unfortunately, her goal couldn’t inspire any late-game miracles.
In fact, it only invigorated the Germans. Sjoeke Nüsken wasted no time in restoring Germany’s two-goal lead, smashing the ball past Arnold to make the final score 4-2 in the 90+4 minute.
Friendlies are supposed to be learning opportunities. All we seemed to learn is that Australia’s most experienced players looked uninspired and lifeless against one of the best teams in the world. Only Kerr and Carpenter seemed to show up. Substitutes provided sparks of creativity and positive signs for the future.
This result would be easier to bear if not for the players involved. If Montemurro had utilized more of his squad and given newer players a chance to play at the level, the score wouldn’t matter. There are only four more international windows until the World Cup. If they continue like this, Australia will struggle to make the knockout rounds.
The Matildas take on Haiti next Wednesday 14 Oct, 6.00AM AEST.
Lineups:
Australia: Arnold, Carpenter, Heatley, Catley, Torpey, Wheeler, Van Egmond, Sayer, Raso, Kerr, Foord. Substitutes: Nevin, Rankin, Davidson, Lincoln, Chidiac, Murphy, Newbon, McKenna, Grant, Lowry, McNamara, Siemsen, Tumeth, Apostolakis, Galic.
Germany: Mahmutovic, Wamser, Minge, Küver, Kett, Senß, Nüsken, Brand, Zicai, Buhl, Kössler. Substitutes: Anyomi, Baum, Dallmann, Dick, Freigang, Johannes, Kleinherne, Linder, Müller, Zähringer.
Goals:
Germany: Kössler ‘24, Kössler ‘30, Küver ‘83, Nüsken ‘90+4
Australia: Kerr ‘45+2, McNamara ‘90+2
Referee: TBC
Attendance : TBC
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