Matildas keep streak going with last-gasp goal

AUSTRALIA’S women footballers have snatched a thrilling last-second 4-3 win over Norway in their opening game of the Algarve Cup in Portugal, giving them a record eight straight wins in internationals.

Their run looked to be over after Norway had cut down a 3-1 halftime lead with two goals in the second half and a defence that began to frustrate the Matildas as they tried to find a winner.

But great work by Larissa Crummer, who came on for Lisa de Vanna in the 75th minute, sealed the one-goal victory after the Australians won a corner in the 95th minute and the cross found Crummer in the centre of the box.

The Matildas set themselves up well in the first half, overcoming testing conditions of wind, rain and cold, plus an opening goal to Norway in the 11th minute. Clare Polkinghorne didn’t let Norway’s lead last for long, equalising just 40 seconds later when she headed a corner through heavy traffic.

Chloe Logarzo put Australia in front in the 24th minute after a clearing kick from Norway was skied and the keeper couldn’t control it.

Prolific striker Samantha Kerr made it three after 31 minutes with a coolly slotted shot off a Lisa De Vanna pass.

It was the seventh straight time Kerr had scored for the Matildas, moving her past Sarah Walsh’s record.

The Matildas looked in full control as they headed into the break but the team’s hard work in the first stanza was undone within 15 minutes of the start of the second half. The first error came in the 52nd minute when keeper Mackenzie Arnold failed to tip a corner over the bar. The ball dropped right in front of Lisa-Marie Utland on the goal line and she tipped it in.

Not 10 minutes later defender Ellie Carpenter was penalised for a push in the back on Guro Reiten in the box and Elise Thorsnes made no mistake with the penalty for the equaliser.

It was an arm wrestle from then. Australia tried to up the intensity, and frustration started to show on Kerr as a couple of breaks came to nought and some hard marking on her passed unchecked.

Australia plays host Portugal next this weekend.

Portugal defeated China 2-1 in its first match.