The CommBank Matildas have tonight lifted the 2023 Cup of Nations trophy in Newcastle after overcoming a lively Jamaica side 3-0.
Long-range strikes from Katrina Gorry and Caitlin Foord, and a second international goal for Alex Chidiac, were enough for the CommBank Matildas to take all three points in the final game of the four-nations tournament.
The CommBank Matildas move to within one result of equalling their all-time consecutive win record, with seven wins in their past seven games.
Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold earned the Player of the Tournament award after strong displays across all three matches for Australia.
"I think this being the only real tournament format we had leading into the World Cup, I think it was important for us to really get those games under our belt, especially being back to back in ten days," Arnold explained.
"So to come up against those tough teams and perform the way we did, obviously we still have a little bit to work on, but the performances were really good and there was a really good 45 minutes in there and that's what we can work on."
Defeating the likes of Spain, Czechia and Jamaica on the final matchday to lift the trophy for the second time since the inaugural tournament back in 2019.
Arnold played all three games for Australia in the tournament, keeping a clean sheet in the 4-0 opening win against Czechia and in the 3-0 win over Jamaica to wrap up the tournament. Coming off some strong performances at West Ham was crucial to the keeper for showing she can replicate that on the international stage.
"I think I come off a couple of good performances for West Ham leading into this tournament, and I think it was just the mindset that it was almost like I had nothing to lose."
Arnold's last appearance for the national team was in Australia's 7-0 defeat to Spain in the middle of last year, getting redemption over the La Roja, defeating them 3-2 on the second matchday of the tournament.
"An opportunity came up and I just wanted to grab it with both hands, which is something that I haven't done in the past," Arnold said.
The shot-stopper was named Player of the Tournament following the win over Jamaica, keeping two clean sheets and having an 81.8% save success rate.
Head coach Tony Gustavsson talked after the win, explaining how beneficial a tournament rehearsal like this is leading into the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup.
"First of all credit to everyone that helped us create that World Cup environment the way the federation set up the tournament, to the opponents for coming over here and giving us that cut tournament"
"The one thing that we did learn is what it feels to win."
"We can't discard that it wasn't a brilliant game tonight for example it wasn't a brilliant first half against Czechia it wasn't a brilliant second half against Spain,"
"But tournament football is about finding a way to win, grinding through believing what you're doing and I really credit the players tonight"