‘Walk in the park’: Tillies cruise to Paris

It was a total demolition job by the Matildas, who ended up taking a 10-0 victory (13-0 aggregate) to officially qualify for the Olympic Games, which are now just five months away in Paris.

Veteran Michelle Heyman, who, three days ago, hadn’t pulled on the green and gold for the Matildas in 1912 days, was the star of the night, booting a massive four goals in the first half, before being subbed off for the night after her job was done.

It was a scintilating first half of play headlined by Heyman’s magic.

The cute detail in Matildas post-match festivities that stole hearts on road to Paris 2024

Kaitlyn Torpey also scored in the 22nd minute, Mary Fowler in the 36th and Caitlin Foord in the 38th.

“This is becoming a walk in the park,” Robbie Thomson said in commentary for Channel 10.

Half time brought about a raft of substitutions for the Tillies – Caitlin Foord, Michelle Heyman and Ellie Carpenter were all subbed off for Hayley Raso, Tameka Yallop and Amy Sayer.

Raso knew she had to make the most of her opportunity, booting the Matildas’ ninth major of the evening in the 68th minute.

It was Amy Sayer who guided the Matildas to their 10th goal, her maiden major in the green and gold.

It was a complete nightmare from the first minute for visitors Uzbekistan, who lost goalkeeper Maftuna Jonimqulova to a suspected ankle injury.

“It’s been a nightmarish first trip to Australia,” Thompson said.

“They’ve seen the distance left the travel for their women’s program … to compete with sides like the Matildas in the upper-echelon of the game.”

A sell-out crowd of 54,120 packed into Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on Wednesday night. It was the 12th consecutive sold out crowd on hoem soil for the Matildas.

The Matildas have now well and truly locked in their spot at Paris 2024, as coach Tony Gustavvson prepares to make some edifficult calls on his final squads that will represent Australia in the hunt for maiden football gold.