Matildas Fall 2-1 to Brazil in Friendly

The Matildas suffered a 2-1 defeat to Brazil in an international friendly on the Gold Coast, following a prior loss of 3-1 in Brisbane. Captain Steph Catley was sidelined due to lower leg tightness just before kickoff, leading to her replacement by Courtney Nevin. Brazil took a 2-1 lead at halftime, with a spectacular goal from Gabi Portilho and a close-range finish from Lauren, while Hayley Rasso scored for Australia just before the break. Goalkeeper Teagan Micah made several crucial saves to prevent a larger margin. Despite having opportunities, the Matildas struggled with execution in the final third, which commentators noted as a significant factor in their defeat. The team is now focusing on improvements as they prepare for the 2026 Asian Cup on home soil.