‘Struggled’: Star’s forgettable moment haunts Matildas

The Matildas are out of the World Cup after a devastating 3-1 semi final defeat to England.

Yet in defeat, several Australian players stood tall. Others looked to have run out of puff at the business end of a gruelling tournament.

Wide World of Sports assesses the performance of every player who took the field.

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18. Mackenzie Arnold (6.5)

Pulled off a couple of good saves to keep Australia in the contest as she denied English midfielder Georgia Stanway and forward Lauren Hemp. Hard to blame for any of the goals and overall could hold her head high after a solid performance.

4.Clare Polkinghorne (5.5)

Came in for the ill Alanna Kennedy and struggled with the movement of the England forward play as they looked to get in behind and expose her lack of pace.

7. Steph Catley (7)

Again provided a solid defensive foundation down the left-hand side of the Australian defence and delivered some dangerous crosses when pushing forward.

9. Caitlin Foord (6) Struggled to involve herself in the game as Australia were unable to get the ball wide and utilise her pace and trickery. Worked hard to track back but was unable to have the impact Australia would have been hoping for in such a big game.

11. Mary Fowler (6.5)

Looked to drop deep and inject herself into the contest when she could. Looked livelier in the second half but was well marshalled by a disciplined and organised English team.

15. Clare Hunt (6.5)

Again produced her usual neat and composed passing game but let Alessio Russo turn in the box to set up England’s opener and looked a little unsure defensively at times next to Polkinghorne.

16. Hayley Raso (5)

Struggled to involve herself out wide with her touches in the final third lacking the quality that was needed with her attacking threat nullified by the English defence.

19. Katrina Gorry (6)

Again worked tirelessly in the midfield but was overrun by a dominate English team in the first half. Improved in the second half as Australia looked to gain a greater ascendency in the match as England’s press faltered.

20. Sam Kerr (8)

Started her first game of the World Cup and scored one of the goals of the tournament as she picked up the ball near halfway and drove at the English defence before unleashing a piledriver into the top corner. Was a constant threat to the English backline with her pace in behind as well as providing some lovely touches. Was unlucky not to have a second as she blazed wide after an Australian corner fortuitously fell to her deep into the second half.

21. Ellie Carpenter (5)

Again struggled with her ability to keep possession and delivery when positioned in attacking crossing positions. Was at fault for the second England goal as she was outmuscled by English forward Lauren Hemp.

23. Kyra Cooney-Cross (6)

Lacked her usual poise and control as she at times found herself overwhelmed in the heart of Australia’s midfield by a dominate England team. Improved slightly in the second half where she produced some lovely moments of skill as she looked to try and wrestle some control back in the midfield.

Substitutes

Cortnee Vine, introduced 70th min (6)

Came close to restoring parity with a hard low shot after latching onto a Kerr pass. Injected pace and direct running onto Australia’s right side after coming on for a disappointing Raso.

Emily Van Egmond, introduced 80th min (N/A)

Alex Chidiac, introduced 88th min (N/A)

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