The CommBank ParaMatildas fall short in the IFCPF Women’s World Cup Final, defeated 3-2 by the United States

The CommBank ParaMatildas have fallen just short in the IFCPF Women’s World Cup Final, defeated 3-2 by the United States.

Annmarie De Uriarte and Georgia Beikoff scored in the first half before the United States mounted a comeback in the second half.

The starting five was unchanged from the side that defeated Finland in the semi-final. Eloise Northam took the captain’s armband, Katelyn Smith started in goal, Tahlia Blanshard was tasked with defence while Carly Salmon and Annmarie De Uriarte started up top.

The game was end-to-end to begin. The Americans posed a number of threats up top, including the dangerous Annie Wickett, one of the best players in the world.

However, it was Australia who struck first. Annmarie De Uriarte picked up the ball from deep. Her strike from distance was fantastic, nestling into the back of the net to give the defending champions the early lead.

They were forced into a change halfway through the first half. Carly Salmon, who scored four in the semi-final, picked up an injury that ruled her out of the contest. Georgia Beikoff came on to replace her.

Beikoff had an immediate impact. She took a speculative shot from halfway. Remarkably, it sailed over the goalkeeper’s head, and she doubled Australia’s lead with a stunner.

The CommBank ParaMatildas went into the break two goals to the good and would have been satisfied with a half where they were well on top of the game.

The United States were never going to back down. Catarina Guimarães – who started the game in goal – came onto the pitch at half-time. She made an immediate difference, scoring from the edge of the penalty area after a corner to pull one back.

Guimarães was once again instrumental in the equaliser. Jess Kuhnel waited at the back post for a cross, and got enough on it to steer it into goal.

It was Wickett who would have the final say. She picked up the ball from deep, striding into the front third. Her powerful cross deflected off a defender and into the back of the net.

Even though the CommBank ParaMatildas fell just short, the match was a fantastic advertisement for CP football. It was a high quality, scintillating affair that is just another chapter in what is set to be a long rivalry between the two best teams in the world.

Match Summary

Australia: 2 (De Uriarte 7’, Beikoff 18’)
United States: 3 (Guimarães 28’, Kuhnel 33’, Wickett 50+2’)

Australia: 1. Carly Salmon (10. Georgia Beikoff 15’), 3. Tahlia Blanshard, 6. Katelyn Smith, 7. Eloise Northam, 8. Annmarie De Uriarte

Unused substitutes: 2. Trinity McPhhie, 4. Tamsin Colley, 5. Lainee Harrison, 9. Leah Spaine