Matildas legend bows out in 'special' 2-0 victory

Matildas legend Lydia Williams bowed out in emotional fashion on Monday, walking off the field for the final time in Australia as the side recorded a 2-0 win over China.

The veteran goalkeeper, who will hang up the boots after this year’s Olympic Games, played the majority of the first half in a friendly clash against China.

Williams was given a standing ovation by the packed Accor Stadium crowd, as she was subbed off for first-choice keeper Mackenzie Arnold before half-time.

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“This is such a special moment,” Grace Gill said on Paramount commentary.

“A moment 19 years in the making and a team that is better known with Lydia Williams than without. One thing is for sure – the Matildas are better and football is better for having had Lydia Williams in it.”

Co-commentator Robbie Thomson also praised the 36-year-old for her dedication.

“She made her debut in 2005 … now at 36, having spent more than half her life as an international footballer, so much of that when that was almost a chore compared to an honour – she now retires as a hero of the game,” he said.

Before the game started, Williams was visibly emotional as she was given a special presentation in Sydney, before composing herself to take the field and help the Matildas go into the break at a deadlock against their Asian rivals.

The hosts had plenty of scoring chances in the early stages, but some sloppy finishing stopped the Aussies from taking the lead.

Immediately after the break, Clare Wheeler put the Matildas ahead on the scoreboard with a well-timed header, before Hayley Raso made it 2-0 before the hour-mark.

Some resilient defence in the second half saw the Matildas hold on and the side will now head to Paris next month in their bid to win gold.

“It was really important, it was our last game before the Olympics and we wanted to turn up and put on a show,” Raso said post-game.

“We came out and did a little better than we did in the last game. They are a well-drilled team and very solid defensively. We just needed to be patient and break them down and we did that eventually.

“Only 18 players are going to the Olympics – it’s always special and spots are on the line, so everyone is trying their best.”

Head coach Tony Gustavsson will name his final 18-player squad for the Olympics on Tuesday morning, with a few spots still up for grabs prior to the China friendly, which saw a record crowd of 76,798 turn out to support the national womens team.

One woman who won’t be available for Paris is superstar Sam Kerr, who remains sidelined with a serious knee injury suffered earlier this year.