Australia’s Matildas started the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals with a 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland at Stadium Australia in Sydney on Thursday.
Captain Steph Catley scored the only goal of the match from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute after Marissa Sheva had fouled Hayley Raso inside the box.
The Matildas endured anxious moments in the last minutes of the match as the Girls in Green piled more pressure in search of an equaliser.
Meanwhile, the Matildas played in front of 75 784 people, which is biggest crowd ever for women’s football in Australia.
