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Matildas cop repeat loss to Brazil after pre-game drama involving Steph Catley

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The Matildas lost captain Steph Catley in the warm-up before going down 2-1 to Brazil in a pulsating international friendly on the Gold Coast.

After losing to the Brazilians 3-1 in Brisbane three days earlier, Australia had a lot to work on as they look to play their best football at the 2026 Asian Cup. on native soil.

Captain Catley rose to the occasion minutes from kick-off with lower leg tightness in pre-game drama the Matildas did not need. Coach Tom Sermani took the cautious approach and replaced her with Courtney Nevin on defense.

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Brazil led 2-1 at half-time after a wonder strike from midfielder Gabi Portillo and a shot at the far post from defender Laurent.

Hayley Raso responded late in the half to put the hosts within a sniff after a world-class cross from Caitlin Ford.

There was a lot of feeling in the match.There was a lot of feeling in the match.
There was a lot of feeling in the match. credit: AAP

The margin could have been much worse for the Matildas if it weren’t for three desperate saves by goalkeeper Teagan Micah, who replaced Mackenzie Arnold to start her first international since playing Canada last December.

Brazil were more fluid in attack in the first half, but Mika pounced left and right to limit the damage.

Ford was replaced on the left wing at half-time by Sharn Fryer as Sermani made the changes and Emily Gielnik, Daniela Galic and Charlotte Grant entered the fray soon after.

The game picked up after the break with both sides making plenty of ground but unable to find the end. Alanna Kennedy went closest with a curling free-kick just tipped over the bar.

There was plenty of feeling in the game, as there was in Brisbane, with Brazilian full-backs Kaká and Laurent both booked in the first half for cynical tackles on Ford and Raso respectively.

Brazil pushed the limits in the first friendly and continued that tactic as Sermani made further changes to his starting XI, bringing in midfielder Tameka Yallop and striker Michel Heyman.

Emily van Egmond, in her 151st game for the Matildas, wore the captain’s armband on a night when she joined Cheryl Salisbury in equal second place on the all-time list for an Australian footballer.

Playing in her hometown on the Gold Coast, Raso was outstanding. Apart from her goal, she was down to the teeth in everything in front of 25,297 fans. Defensive back Eli Carpenter also made some shots from behind to try and spark the offense.

The Matildas will play two more friendlies in this international window against Chinese Taipei, with the first in Melbourne on Wednesday, followed by a clash in Geelong on Saturday.

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