The CommBank Matildas will play their second game of the Cup of Nations, with two top-ranked nations in the competition taking on one another at CommBank Stadium.
This clash tonight will be the second time the CommBank Matildas have played Spain, with our first-ever meeting with La Roja coming back in June 2022, playing the side while they prepared for the UEFA Women's Euro 2022, going down 7-0.
Australia will return to CommBank Stadium after making a memorable return to international football at the stadium in Sydney, playing Brazil in two friendlies in October 2021.
Squad News
CommBank Matildas head coach Tony Gustavsson talked in the pre-match press conference about the squad rotation for the second game of the Cup of Nations.
"Well, there's much more availability tomorrow than the last game, which means there's competition for spots."
"It's going to be a long discussion tonight amongst coaches, not just about the starting lineup, but how we play the game after 90 minutes."
Australia's win against Czechia saw a senior international debut for defender Clare Hunt, picking up an assist in her first game in green and gold.
Hayley Raso, Sam Kerr and Clare Polkinghorne all found the back of the net in the 4-0 win, with Raso making it goals in back-to-back games for Australia with a brace. While Sam Kerr scored in her third consecutive game, tapping in Australia's third of the night in Gosford.
Clare Polkinghorne scored the most memorable goal of the night, marking her record-breaking night that saw her become Australia's most capped footballer, making her 152nd appearance and captaining the side in Australia's third meeting with Czechia.
Our Opponent
Spain's coach Jorge Vilda has named a 25-player squad for the trip to Australia. The squad sees the return of veteran forward Jennifer Hermoso, with 93 appearances for her country she is the most experienced Spanish player coming to the tournament.
La Roja was the only other team to pick up a victory in their opening game of the tournament, defeating Jamaica 3-0 in Gosford. Three different goalscorers found the back of the net in their first-ever meeting, Maite Oroz opened the scoring for the tournament.
Esther González added her name to the scoresheet in first-half stoppage time, making up for her earlier goal being chalked off after a penalty. González made a run down the left-hand side of the field and finished her shot past Becky Spencer in Jamaica's goal.
Fiamma Benítez scored the pick of the bunch in the second half, netting her first senior goal for Spain. Benítez picked up the ball just outside the box and smashed her attempt into the top corner.
Opta Facts
● This meeting will be just the second meeting between Australia and Spain in women's internationals; the Matildas succumbed to a 7-0 loss in their only previous meeting against Spain in June 2022.
● Australia has won their last five women’s internationals on the bounce, keeping clean sheets in each of their last three, while Spain has won and kept a clean sheet in each of their last four women's internationals.
● Spain made the most passes (638) and had the highest passing accuracy (88%) of any team in the opening round of the 2023 Cup of Nations; Australia (507 passes, 84% passing accuracy) were ranked second in each category.
● Steph Catley (Australia) played 11 passes into the box (inc. crosses) in the opening round of the 2023 Cup of Nations tournament, five more than any other player in the competition.
● Sam Kerr (Australia) has scored one goal in each of her last three women's internationals after not finding the back of the net in any of her four games prior; indeed, she has been directly involved in five goals in her last three games for the Matildas (3 goals, 2 assists).
See the Spain squad for the Cup of Nations.
For all the latest news and information regarding the two-games series, stay updated via the official Commonwealth Bank Matildas website.
CommBank Matildas v Spain
Date: Sunday, 19 February 2023
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Kick-Off: 6.00 pm kick-off AEDT
Broadcast: 10 Bold, 10 Play and Paramount+
Tickets: Buy tickets!