How the internet reacted to the Matildas’ 4-0 win over Iran

Source : ABC NEWS

The Matildas were looking for a few more goals in their second AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 game and certainly found them, beating Iran 4-0 in Robina.

Here’s how the internet reacted.

Australian fans were buoyed by news that senior goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold was approaching full fitness, and that star midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross had trained on the Gold Coast, having not made the squad for the first match.

The opening match against the Philippines saw the Matildas hog 85 per cent of possession, fire off 14 shots, take 35 touches in their opponent’s box and yet, in a 1-0 win, only register an xG (expected goals) of 1.10. Basically, Australia dominated territory and ball control, but produced far less than it should have in terms of good, clear chances.

Iran is ranked 27 places lower than the Philippines and was sure to adopt a similarly ultra-defensive posture, settled firmly in their low block, with their fists clenched and their teeth gritted.

When the starting XI was released, Arnold wasn’t between the sticks, with Chloe Lincoln retaining her spot. But Mary Fowler started, Cooney-Cross was on the bench, and the odds of a more fluent attacking display strengthened.

On a warm and drizzly night on the Gold Coast, the ball slid over a slick pitch as the match kicked off.

The contest settled in to what was to be the rhythm of the evening: Australia assuming possession, Iran only pressing with intensity when the Matildas passed halfway, at which point a swarm descended where, if the ball was won, it was hoofed hopefully clear, and the dance began again.

Then the rhythm was disrupted by a sudden, new element, as a Carpenter run found Amy Sayer out on the right. She looked to cross, and her overhit attempt floated just inside the far post, with the Iranian keeper scrambling in vain. A fortunate fluke? Sayer it isn’t so!

Another early goal with a healthy slice of luck, but would the Matildas go on to eat the whole pie? They feigned another bite, as Foord was played in by a neat Kerr pass to sweep home a second goal from the left hand side of the box. But she was deemed marginally offside after video review.

Mary Fowler then dribbled home a wholly legal second goal, as a goalkeeper fumble in the wet gifted her an open net after Foord’s lofted cross.

A third came soon after.

Fowler and Foord were switching flanks, Sayer was buzzing from side to side, the Iranians were bamboozled as crosses were being fired in from all angles.

Here, after some aerial chaos in the box, Sam Kerr teed up Kennedy, who thrashed home from a central position.

Foord missed a sitter, a generous act, before the first half was out.

Sayer had a good chance too, side-footing a Fowler cross just wide. Sam Kerr had a fourth goal ruled out for offside by the VAR, and then missed a near-open goal, albeit while lurching, one-legged, to reach a cross. It could have been much worse for Iran, and it was 3-0 at half-time.

Iran conceded a penalty within 90 seconds of the restart after an unfortunate handball, but VAR — a central player in this contest, apparently — called the referee over to the monitor, and it was promptly overturned.

Iran had its first shot a few minutes later, coming after a long free kick into the Matildas’ box, but spinning wide.

Before the hour mark, Alanna Kennedy had her second goal, a corner stood up by Emily van Egmond, and Kennedy there at the far post, tall timber between two smaller Iranian markers, heading down into the turf and into the net.

Wholesale changes were then made: Kerr, Fowler and Foord off; Hayley Raso, Holly McNamara and Remy Siemsen on.

Australia eased off slightly, and some injury stoppages disrupted the tempo, including Raso copping not one, but two full-force clearances right to the face.

The rain was teeming down, Iranian players were going down left and right with knocks and “knocks”, and Australia was still pushing half-heartedly for goals.

It ended, somewhat mercifully, after 11 minutes of added time.

The Matildas were much more coherent in attack here, as they needed to be. And although they have secured passage to the next stage of the tournament, because of a goal-difference deficit, they now need to beat South Korea to top their group.

Joe Montemurro gave his vigorous post-match talk to the team, all arranged in a tight circle in the middle of the pitch, and you could see the force behind his words.

The gist of his message? Don’t rest on your laurels, the real test is still to come.