The Matildas’ FIFA Women’s World Cup dreams are turning into a nightmare after suffering a shock 3-2 loss to Nigeria in Brisbane.
The Matildas took the lead through Emily van Egmond, who made the most of her rare starting appearance, however Nigeria equalised on the stroke of half-time and scored two more goals in the second half.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Final whistle cruses Matildas’ hopes.
Watch every Matilda’s FIFA Women’s World Cup™ match live and free on 7plus >> or stream all matches on Optus Sport >>
With Sam Kerr and Kyah Simon unavailable, and Mary Fowler and Aivi Luik ruled out of the match with concussions, the Matildas lacked depth and attacking options.
And it showed with coach Tony Gustavsson not making any substitutions until after the 80th minute – 15 minutes after Nigeria took the lead.
Speaking after the game, injured Matildas star Elise Kellond-Knight questioned why Gustavsson took so long to make a move.
“It was curious,” Kellond-Knight said.
“I personally would have done something around the 70-minute mark. For me, down the right side just wasn’t working tonight.”
Kellond-Knight pinpointed Hayley Raso and Ellie Carpenter’s similarities as players as the issue.
“The combination between Hayley and Ellie just wasn’t complementing each other,” she said.
“Really quick players, trying to use that space, but they’re running into each other’s space.
“Bringing in Alex Chidiac or potentially even Charli Grant, trying to mix that up a little bit probably would’ve been a benefit.”
Chidiac only entered the fray in the 85th minute but was immediately on the attack.
Kellond-Knight, though, conceded it might not be worth “pointing fingers” because everyone would have their own way of coaching the team.
“You can skin a cat a million ways, right?” she said.
“I would have a way that I would’ve coached that team. But I have to trust Tony, I have to trust that he has a plan here and he’s doing what’s right for the team.”
Coach responds
Channel 7 reporter Adam Peacock invoked Gustavsson’s own words when he questioned the coach on his decisions.
“We’re 3-1 down and waiting for a game-changer, why did we have to wait so long for that?” Peacock asked.
Gustavsson said he would review whether the timing was right or wrong.
“If you get it right (the substitutions), it has an effect,” he said.
“My job is to know the truth in advance, I don’t know what is right in advance, I will evaluate if I did it at the right time.”
“I do think we did get a massive effect when we did it, and it’s straight from the training ground.
“The set-piece goal (in stoppage time) was amazing and the never-say-die attitude was amazing.
“But it didn’t take us all the way this time.”
Meanwhile, Kellond-Knight said the Matildas lost momentum on the stroke of half-time when Nigeria equalised.
“Interestingly, if you look at how the first half ended, we lost momentum conceding a goal at the end of the half,” Kellond-Knight explained.
“The goal brings the team down, you are frustrated and angry.
“I’m super curious to hear what would happen at half-time. The team was flat and passive.”
Former England international Izzy Christiansen questioned the Matildas’ ability to hold onto a lead.
“Two words for me, I said it against Ireland and I’ll say it again, game management for the Matildas,” Christiansen said on Channel 7.
“That is an area you need to tighten the screws, to see that first half out at 1-0, regroup, refocus, tighten up.”
Legendary sports broadcaster Bruce McAvaney said the third goal for Nigeria, which came after a defensive mix-up, was embarrassing for the Matildas.
“That uncertainty at the back, we have seen twice already tonight and we saw it again a third time,” McAvaney said.
“This was probably the one that really I think embarrassed all of us a bit.”
Despite the defeat, Gustavsson praised the Matildas for their attitude and paid tribute to the fans in Brisbane.
“The never say die attitude is amazing from the team,” Gustavsson said.
“The way we were carried by the fans, we have to credit them even though I know there’s a lot of disappointed fans out there because of the loss.
“The way they supported us was amazing.”
Mel McLaughlin and broadcasting legend Bruce McAvaney are leading Seven’s coverage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, with expert insight from Elise Kellond-Knight, Heather Garriock and more. Watch the Matildas and other key matches live and free on 7plus.
If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your .
To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide.