Everything You Need To Know About Tonights Matildas Game
Right, collectively the whole of Australia is going to be finding some kind of screen to watch tonight’s game, if they’re not lucky enough to be at the game live. The hype and excitement of the Matildas FIFA World Cup journey has been all-encompassing, whether you understand the game or not, you are excited, you are ready, and you are invested in the Matildas and their World Cup.
This is going back to basics, this is your complete guide to tonight’s game.
Time: 8:00 pm for the ACT, NSW, Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria. 7:30 pm for the Northern Territory and South Australia and 6:00 pm for WA.
Opponent: England
Where: Stadium Australia in Sydney
Watch: Live on Channel Seven and Optus Sports
Let’s recap the past games:
Both Australia and England came out on the top of their group games, however, the Aussies lost one game, while England are yet to feel defeat.
Game 1: Australia 1 vs. Ireland 0
Game 2: Australia 2 vs Nigeria 3
Game 3: Australia 4 vs Canada 0
Game 4: Australia 2 vs Denmark 0
Game 5: Australia 0 (7) vs France 0 (6)
Game 1: England 1 vs Haiti 0
Game 2: England 1 vs Denmark 0
Game 3: England 6 vs China 1
Game 4: England 0 (4) vs Nigeria 0 (2)
Game 5: England 2 vs Colombia 1
The lineup
At the time of publishing the starting lineup for tonight’s game has not been released yet. But this morning coach Tony Gustavsson had declared that Sam Kerr was available. Does that mean we’ll see her taking to the field for the first whistle?
Some more information on England:
For this semi-final game the Matildas are going to be playing against England, who are the highest-ranked team that they have had to play in the competition so far. England is ranked number four in the world and is currently the reigning European champions.
The England Lionesses, however, will be playing without some of their key players. Captain Leah Williamson is out with a knee injury, while their star forward Lauren James is currently serving a two-match suspension for stamping on Michelle Alozie, a Nigerian defender in the rounds. Fran Kirby is also out after undergoing knee surgery in May, and the Euro 2022 player of the tournament and top scorer Beth Mead is also out with an ACL injury.
The last time the Matildas played the Lionesses was in the Women’s Friendlies in April of this year. The Aussies won 2 - 0, with Sam Kerr scoring one and Charlotte Grant scoring one.
If the Matildas win…
A win for the Matildas will take them through to the grand final, which will take place at Stadium Australia in Sydney on Sunday the 20th of August. Spain is already through the grand final after beating Sweden 2-1 in their semi-final match.
If the Matildas lose…
They won’t be in the grand final but they will have one more game to play. They will play the losers of the first semi-final, Sweden, to battle it out for third place. This game will be at Brisbane Stadium on Saturday, August 19.
Here we bloody go!
