Matildas Abroad Review: Fowler scores, Arnold picks up assist, Gorry and Grant make debuts

Cup action returned in England, France and Spain for 13 Matildas Abroad, with Mary Fowler scoring, and Mackenzie Arnold picking up an assist in her return from injury for West Ham; while Katrina Gorry and Charli Grant made their debuts for their new sides.

Read our review of the action below.

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England

The Women's FA Cup action kicked off with Clare Wheeler's Everton advancing to the next round after a 3-0 win over Aston Villa. Wheeler started for the Toffees, with both sides sent into the break locked at 0-0. 

The visitors came out of the interval the stronger side, with Karoline Olesen opening the scoring for Everton. A late brace from Katja Snoeijs sealed the Toffees' passage to the next round with Wheeler playing the full game. 

Next up, Mary Fowler and Alanna Kennedy's Manchester City advanced to the fifth round of the Women’s FA Cup after a 4-0 win over Championship side Durham. 

Laura Coombs broke the deadlock for the visitors in the 7th minute, with Jill Roord adding her name to the scoresheet to send Manchester City into the break 2-0 up. Roord added to her tally after the interval, with Fowler coming off the bench for Gareth Taylor's side to score the fourth. 

Manchester City's Mary FOWLER celebrates after scoring their fourth goal during the Adobe Women's FA Cup Fourth Round match between Durham Women FC and Manchester City at Maiden Castle, Durham City on Sunday 14th January 2024. (Photo: Mark Fletcher | MI News) Credit: MI News & Sport /Alamy Live News
Manchester City's Mary Fowler celebrates after scoring their fourth goal during the Adobe Women's FA Cup Fourth Round match between Durham Women FC and Manchester City at Maiden Castle, Durham City on Sunday 14th January 2024. (Photo: Mark Fletcher | MI News) Credit: MI News & Sport /Alamy Live News

Fowler came off the bench in the 68th and scored her first goal of the season on the cusp of the full-time whistle. Alanna Kennedy did not appear in the matchday squad as she makes her way back from injury. 

Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross featured as Arsenal recorded a dominant 5-1 win over Championship side Watford. Goals to Alessia Russo and Lia Wälti gave the Gunners a 2-0 lead going into the break. 

Stina Blackstenius came off the bench to net Arsenal's third of the afternoon, before Watford clawed one back through Gunners loanee Michelle Agyemang. Amanda Ilestedt and Frida Maanum added their name to the scoresheet for the hosts to see out the game 5-1, advancing to the next round.

Foord started the game and was replaced in the 64th minute, while Cooney-Cross came off the bench in the 65th minute in the victory. Catley was unavailable due to personal reasons.

Teagan Micah kept a clean sheet for Liverpool in their impressive 1-0 victory over Bristol City. Both sides were unable to find the back of the net in the first half, with scores locked at 0-0. 

Liverpool's task was made harder when Ceri Holland was dismissed after a second yellow card, with the visitors going down to 10 for the last 30 minutes. However, a goal to Gemma Bonner sealed the victory in the 85th minute for the Reds. 

Mackenzie Arnold and Katrina Gorry's West Ham took on the reigning Women's FA Cup champions in Chelsea at Kingsmeadow, with Gorry making her debut for the Hammers in the game. 

West Ham opened the scoring in the 18th minute, with Arnold playing a long ball to find Viviane Asseyi who finished her chance to send the Hammers into the break 1-0 up over Chelsea.

Katrina-Lee Gorry (22 West Ham) warming up during the Womens FA Cup match between Chelsea and West Ham at Kingsmeadow in London, England (Alexander Canillas / SPP)
Katrina Gorry warming up during the Women's FA Cup match between Chelsea and West Ham at Kingsmeadow in London, England (Photo: Alexander Canillas / SPP via Imago)

Chelsea scored the equaliser in the 70th minute through Mia Fishel, with the game going to extra time with both sides looking for the winner. The Blues found the back of the net through Erin Cuthbert and Sjoeke Nüsken to see out the game 3-1 and advance to the next round.

Charli Grant made her debut for Tottenham Hotspur in their come-from-behind victory over Sheffield United, playing the full 90 minutes for her new side. 

The Blades opened the scoring in the 13th minute through Sophie Haywood and doubled their advantage on the other side of the break through Jessica Sigsworth.

A brace to Bethany England and a 96th-minute matchwinner from Rosella Ayane sealed the 3-2 victory for Spurs. 

Courtney Nevin and Remy Siemsen came off the bench in Leicester City's 4-0 win over National League side Derby County. Goals to Lena Petermann, Janice Cayman, Deanne Rose and an own goal to Charlotte Steggles sealed the victory for the Foxes. 

Nevin came off the bench in the 63rd minute for Willie Kirk's side, while Siemsen made her entry in the 68th minute. 

Last up, Charlie Rule's Brighton & Hove Albion recorded a 6-0 win over Luton Town to advance to the fifth round of the Women's FA Cup, with Rule missing the game through injury.

A brace to Tatiana Pinto and goals to Veatriki Sarri, Vicky Losada, Elisabeth Terland and Pauline Bremer sealed the dominant win. 
 

France

Over in France, Ellie Carpenter's Lyon continued their unbeaten season in all competitions with a 4-0 win over Montpellier Coupe de France Féminine. The reigning champions opened the scoring through Amel Majri in the 3rd minute. Lyon went into the break with a 2-0 lead after Lindsey Horan added her name to the scoresheet before the interval.

Goals to Ada Hegerberg and Vanessa Gilles in the second half sealed the 4-0 victory as Lyon booked their spot in the next round. 

Clare Hunt's PSG also recorded a 4-0 win over CPB Bréquigny Rennes, a D3 women's team, to advance to the last 16. PSG took a 1-0 lead going into the break thanks to Magnaba Folquet's opener. 

PSG increased their lead after the interval with a brace to Tabitha Chawinga and a goal to Amalie Vangsgaard. Hunt did not feature in the matchday squad for the clash. 

Finishing up in France, Sarah Hunter's Paris FC also advanced to the next round with a 3-0 win over Bordeaux. Paris FC took a slender 1-0 lead into the break with Julie Soyer scoring the opener. 

Clara Mateo and Julie Dufour added their name to the scoresheet in the second half to seal the victory. Hunter came off the bench in the 62nd minute. 
 

Spain

Over in Spain, Hayley Raso's Real Madrid secured a dominant 5-0 win over Real Betis in the Copa de la Reina. Athenea del Castillo opened the scoring for Madrid in the 6th minute, with Sandie Toletti then doubling Madrid's advantage from the spot in first-half stoppage time.

Raso entered the game to start the second half, replacing del Castillo on the wing. Goals to Linda Caicdeo, Caroline Møller and Freja Olofsson sealed the victory.