Matildas Abroad Review: Aussies hit the scoreboard, Spanish league commences

All the European leagues featuring Westfield Matildas finally commenced with Spain kicking off on the weekend. 

A number of Aussies added their names to the scoresheet in Europe, while others put in eye catching performances for their sides.

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England

Matchday 3 of the Women’s Super League saw Arsenal defeat Bristol City 3-1. Caitlin Foord made her second starting appearance for Arsenal, as well as scoring a goal for her side after 50 minutes. Bristol’s Chloe Logarzo was subbed onto the field at the 79th minute mark, replacing Ella Mastrantonio in the midfield.


Alanna Kennedy played the full 90 minutes for Tottenham Hotspur, who suffered another defeat this week, this time losing 4-1 at the hands of the undefeated Manchester City.

READ: Matildas Abroad - Raso’s Everton march into Women’s FA Cup final

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Sam Kerr’s Chelsea denied Birmingham City of securing points this round either, with Chelsea winning 1-0 away from home. Kerr was subbed into the match after 65 minutes of play.  

In the biggest scoring game of the round, Hayley Raso’s Everton won 6-0 against Aston Villa, with the Aussie scoring a double for her side. Raso put her first goal away after 21 minutes and came back for her second only 180 seconds later. Everton remains second on the ladder, just behind Arsenal.

France

Ellie Carpenter and top of the table Olympique Lyonnais have won their fourth game in a row in the Division 1 Feminine, this time beating Emma Checker’s Fleury 91 3-0. Carpenter once again played the full 90 minutes of the match.


Meanwhile, Mary Fowler’s third placed Montpellier beat second placed Paris FC 2-1, with Fowler adding her name to the score sheet after 79 minutes.

Laura Brock’s Guingamp remain winless after experiencing another  defeat at the hands of Bordeaux, with the defender playing the full 90 minutes of the match. Guingamp are sitting in second-last place with no points to their name. 

Norway

Teagan Michah’s Arna-Bjornar overcame Karly Roestbakken’s LSK Kvinner this week in the Toppserien, with Arna-Bjornar winning 1-0 thanks to an early goal from Meryll Krysteen Abrahamsen. Roestbakken started the game but was substituted after 79 minutes.

Clare Polkinghorne and Katrina Gorry’s Avaldsnes won 2-1 in a tight game against Kolbotn this week, with Gorry scoring the first goal for her side after 37 minutes.

Their triumph leaves Avaldsnes in fourth place but on equal points with LSK Kvinner who are now in third spot.

Spain

Aivi Luik and Sevilla FC drew 1-1 against Santa Teresa in round one of the Primera Division, with Luik playing the full match.

Matildas Abroad - Aivi Luik
Aivi Luik debuts for Sevilla in the Spanish League

Jenna McCormick’s Real Betis lost 1-0 to Eibar, while Alex Chidiac’s Atletico Madrid won 2-0 against Espanyol, though both Aussie’s were substitutes for their respective teams.

After the first round Sevilla are sitting in ninth place, with Real Betis in 16th and Athletico Madrid in second.   

Sweden

Emily Gielnik’s Vittsjo drew 0-0 against Pitea this week in the Damallsvenskan, with Gielnik playing the full 90 minutes. The result kept Vittsjo in fifth place. 

Netherlands

It was a top of the table clash with Kyah Simon and Amy Harrison’s PSV Eindhoven suffered a 2-0 loss to AFC Ajax on Sunday.

Both Simon and Harrison played the full match in the tight encounter.  PSV now sit in second place, three points behind table leaders Ajax.