ANALYSIS: Matildas' big loss to Spain asked more questions than it answered
And another feather in the cap of the returned midfielder Katrina Gorry, who matched her opponents for technique, balance, vision, and anticipation in her strongest case yet for 2023 selection.
Thirteen minutes later, Australia had conceded three goals; granted, their opponents had rallied, but the Matildas looked suddenly scattered and disorganised, particularly when adjusting to Spanish breaks in behind their wider defenders.They had even more difficulty controlling the ball out of possession, which became even harder after the substitution of Gorry, and rarely strung more than three passes together before being overwhelmed by Spain's high press.
Spain totalled 23 shots to Australia's 4, including 10 on target versus 0. They had the ball 76 per cent of the time – one of the highest the Matildas has ever faced – and created almost three times as many passes at an accuracy level of 89 per cent to Australia's 66. "In the first period, we got answers that, considering the experience we had on the park in the first 45, to commit to a game-plan like that against Spain – one of the world's best teams [preparing] for the Euros, while we're in a completely different situation right now – I'm actually really happy and proud about the girls' commitment," he said.
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