- Australia suffered a 3-1 defeat to Brazil at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday.
- The stadium paid tribute to retired legend Clare Pokinghorne before the match
- Liverpool correspondent LEWIS STEELE tells all in explosive chat with Mo Salah – LISTEN NOW It’s all starting! New episodes every Monday and Thursday.
Brazil have ruined Clare Polkinghorne’s party, beating the Matildas 3-1 in the retiring great’s enthralling farewell match in Brisbane.
Amanda Gutierres scored in the sixth and 13th minutes, a day after telling the media she expected to score two goals, at Suncorp Stadium to upset Australia in front of 47,501 fans on Thursday.
Caitlin Foord scored a wonderful team goal in the 43rd minute, but Atlético Madrid winger Gio completed Brazil’s victory in the 54th minute.
Olympic silver medalists Brazil were a constant danger on the counter-attack and interim coach Tom Sermanni’s three defenders were caught offside on multiple occasions while Australia looked disjointed in attack.
In an at-times spiteful clash, frustrations threatened to boil over, with Foord and Hayley Raso fuming at Brazil’s physical approach as the visitors finished with 10 players after a late red card.
In their celebration match, retiring great Polkinghorne started and captained the team in her hometown, marking her record 168th appearance.
Clare Polkinghorne was ruled out of international football on Thursday during Australia’s 3-1 loss to Brazil.
The 35-year-old gave an emotional speech before the match and some of her teammates were brought to tears.
Polkinghorne played 63 minutes but her team couldn’t say goodbye to her with the victory
Before the game she was celebrated with a guard of honor and replaced to applause in the 63rd minute.
Emily van Egmond made her 150th appearance, while Winonah Heatley started at defensive midfield and impressed, although Australia missed Katrina Gorry and Clare Wheeler.
Brazilian winger Marilia was stretchered off in the 23rd minute, while goalkeeper Natascha was substituted in the second half, captain Yasmim was stretchered off in the 74th minute and Fe Palermo retired late.
Brazil took the lead when Vitoria Calhau launched a long ball over the top and Polkinghorne was unable to clear it.
The ball fell to Palmeiras striker Gutierres, who rounded Mackenzie Arnold and coolly scored.
Seven minutes later, Gomes stepped up and cut the ball to Gutierres, who hit a magnificent first-time left-footed shot past Arnold.
Australia scored when Heatley lofted a long, well-weighted ball to the tireless Ellie Carpenter, who bodyed her opponent and then turned it inside out before squaring it.
Van Egmond laid the ball off to Foord, who turned quickly and finished with aplomb.
Amanda Gutierres scored a pair of goals in the first 15 minutes of the game.
Caitlin Foord (left) scored a goal for Australia just before half-time, giving the Matildas a chance to equalize in the second half.
But the match seemingly slipped away from Australia when Giovana Queiroz found the back of the net.
Australia burned the first chances of the second half, then Gio forced Alanna Kennedy to fumble.
It came after Gomes pushed the ball forward for the exciting attacker to pounce on to score.
Brazil was reduced to 10 when Calhau received his second yellow card in the 87th and Freier was denied by an extraordinary save by Lorena at the death.
Australia and Brazil meet again at the Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast on Sunday.