KANSAS CITY, Kan.- The 2018 Tournament of Nations got off to a quick start as Australia defeated Brazil 3-1in the opening match, thanks to Brazil’s shaky set piece defense.

Matilda’s defeat Brazil 3-1 to Kick-Off 2018 Tournament of Nations

In what was a pretty even match in terms of chances, Australia got the best of Brazil thanks to some poor set piece defending from the Brazilians. 9 minutes in,  Australia got on the board thanks to an own goal. That own goal came on a corner kick that was taken to the near post. Brazilian ‘keeper, Bárbara, never tried to claim the ball, and after two Australians crashed the near post, it glanced off the Poliana and in.

Australia capitalized again on a set piece, when it was again defended badly. Bárbara never claimed the ball, and it glanced off a Brazilian defender before falling to Tameka Butt who headed it home while virtually on the goal-line.

Brazil got the second half started by pushing for a goal, but it was a good counter-attack from the Matildas, as Sam Kerr got in behind the backline and roofed home the third goal for the Australians.

Debinha claimed a consolation goal for brazil in the 79th, and Brazil continued to push through the end of the match but it just wasn’t quite enough to beat the Matildas, who were much more clinical on the day.

Three Things

1. Brazil felt slow. The Matilda’s just seemed to be more athletic, and able to cover more ground, negating Brazil’s superior technical ability. The Brazilian’s just didn’t seem quick enough in their movement forward, and almost too reliant on Marta.
2. Marta still has it, as she put on some wonderful displays of skilly, including a move that put an Australian defender on skates as she cut in to the backline and served a perfect cross that resulted in a golden chance for Brazil to get back into it.
3. The Aussies were very compact and organized, making it very difficult for Brazil to get any sort of clear cut chance. They did a good job of keeping almost all of Brazil’s chances in front of them, and getting bodies on balls in or shots from just outside the box.