Karaberis: It feels amazing to score

CommBank Junior Matilda Frida Karaberis reflects on scoring for Australia at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup™, pulling a goal back against two-time champions Spain in a 3-1 defeat.

With Australia trailing 3-0 against Spain in their Group F clash, 15-year-old Karaberis took matters into her own hands, finding the back of the net to give the Junior Matildas something to build on heading into their final group stage game against Mexico.

"I just thought, why not? We're down 3-0. There's nothing to lose at this point, so took a shot, hope for the best, and it went in. So I'm very happy. Thank God," Karaberis said.

The youngster reflected on the significance of scoring for her country on the world stage, netting Australia's second goal of the tournament after fellow Western Sydney Wanderers player Charlotte Bradshaw scored in Australia's 1-1 draw with Chile.

"Of course, it feels amazing, being so young and scoring for my country, but it's a team effort, and I thank all the girls and all the coaching staff for making it happen as well."

Karaberis' father was in the crowd for the special moment, with her family also back home watching in Australia in the early hours of the morning.

"He was very excited. He almost had tears coming down his eyes because he was so happy. But yeah, my family back home as well. They were all so excited as well when I scored"

 

 

 

 

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The CommBank Junior Matildas were challenged in the game, taking on a strong Spain side that won the tournament in 2018 and 2022, and were runners-up in the 2024 edition of the tournament.

"We really brought the energy much higher. We wanted to step up again and play football, not just hold off and try to attack as much as possible and show Spain who we really are."

"Spain is a great opposition to play. We learned a lot from them individually and as a team. So I think we've taken a lot out of that, and we go again against Mexico, and we need to win that game."

The team has it all to play for against Mexico in their final group stage game, with the bronze medalists from the 2024 edition of the tournament out to prove a point. Australia could still qualify out of Group F, but will need to steal all three points from Mexico to give them any chance of knockout football in their FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup™ debut.

"Yeah, I think energy is a key one. Just bringing the girls up and making sure we show Mexico that we're here to win and that we're going to give him a good fight"

"So we're going to step up and try to play our best football, and hopefully win."

Mexico v CommBank Junior Matildas 
Date: Sunday, 25 October 2026 (Local)/ Monday, 26 October 2026 (AEDT) 
Time: 3.00pm (Local)/ 2.00am (AEDT) 
Venue: Mohammed VI Football Academy, Salé, Morocco 
Watch: Stream on Paramount+