Goals from Sam Kerr and Charlotte Grant earned Australia a 2-0 win over England at a rainy Brentford Community Stadium on Tuesday to end a 30-match unbeaten run for Sarina Wiegman’s team.
With 100 days to go before co-hosting the Women’s World Cup with New Zealand, the Matildas returned to winning ways after their friendly defeat by Scotland on Friday thwarted a seventh straight win.
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England’s unbeaten run of 26 wins and four draws had included winning the European Championship last summer.
Kerr opened the scoring in the 32nd minute capitalising on a poor header back to keeper Mary Earps by defender Leah Williamson to coolly slot home, despite appearing to be offside as there was no VAR in place.
Australia’s counter-attacking play paid off and Grant doubled the lead in the 67th minute with a header that bounced off Williamson, who had a night to forget, and into the net.
The Lionesses pressed but could not find a way past a solid Australian defence, as they lost for the first time under Wiegman’s tenure.
England beat Brazil in a 4-2 penalty shootout victory last Thursday in front of 83,132 fans at Wembley Stadium.
Australia play France in a friendly on July 14, before their World Cup opener against Ireland six days later. England kick off their World Cup campaign against Group D opponents Haiti on July 22.