Sam Kerr scores but Matildas outclassed 4-2 by Germany in Karlsruhe friendly
Matildas suffer 4-2 defeat as Germany dominate in Karlsruhe
Australia’s preparations for the 2027 Women’s World Cup took a worrying turn in Karlsruhe on Saturday as a youthful Germany side ran out 4-2 winners in a European friendly. Sam Kerr scored twice for the Matildas, but the visitors were outplayed, outmuscled, outrun and outshot for large stretches of the match.
With the 2027 Women’s World Cup peeking over the horizon in Brazil, the result is the latest indication of how much work the Matildas have to do if they hope to compete at next year’s tournament.
Australia’s experienced core undone by Germany’s energy
Australia were missing a number of starters including Mary Fowler, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Alanna Kennedy, but the starting XI still boasted over 1,000 caps. The ageing front three of Kerr, Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso led the line against a German group with just 325 caps combined.
The experience gap did not translate into control. Germany had firm control within minutes, forcing Australia back into their own half as they found passages through midfield and down both wings through Cora Zicai and Klara Buhl, who combined for the first serious shot in the second minute.
By the 20-minute mark Germany had registered seven shots to Australia’s two — an unconvincing back-heel by Kerr off an Ellie Carpenter cross and a rare glimpse of goal in the sixth minute by Amy Sayer, who faded from the game thereafter.
Kossler double sinks Matildas before Kerr responds
Germany’s relentless attack paid off early. A deep cross from Manchester City full-back Carlotta Wamser was met at the back post by Franziska Kett, who beat Carpenter in the air to head over Mackenzie Arnold for Melissa Kossler to tap home on her debut.
Just before the half-hour, Germany doubled the lead as Elisa Sens won the ball in the centre circle and fed Kossler, who tore away from Winonah Heatley and cut inside Steph Catley before firing low past Arnold for her second.
Australia’s attacking frustrations were summed up by a half-hearted pass from Foord aiming for Kerr, the captain slapping both arms against her side and looking to the sky after barely touching the ball.
Carpenter provided a rare bright spark, finding spaces in behind Germany’s backline to deliver sharp balls into the area, while Foord and Raso struggled against Germany’s two talented full-backs.
The Matildas did momentarily revive when Carpenter drove down the right wing, linked with Raso and chipped a cross to the front post for Kerr to angle into the far corner. The goal, Kerr’s first of the night, came after 45 minutes with Australia already 2-0 down.
Kerr was then forced off after receiving a stomp from former Chelsea teammate Sjoeke Nusken, falling to the grass with her face in her arms and stripping off her armband. The Gotham forward ultimately returned and added a stoppage-time header at the end of the first half, a reminder of the gap between this golden generation and whoever comes next.
Second half changes widen the gulf
Head coach Joe Montemurro made wholesale changes at the break, replacing Kerr, Catley, Sayer and Emily van Egmond with Holly McNamara, Courtney Nevin, Alana Murphy and Leticia McKenna. The gulf in international experience became clear as Australia struggled to break into Germany’s final third or retain possession.
Germany’s substitutes reinforced their dominance. Nicole Anyomi and Linda Dallman both found themselves one-on-one with Arnold after sloppy Australian defending, with the keeper’s studs and fingertips keeping the score at 3-1.
Centre-back Camilla Kuver made it 3-1 for Germany with a towering header in the final 10 minutes before McNamara struck back two minutes into stoppage time, angling the ball in off a neat Foord pass.
The flattering 3-2 scoreline did not last. Nusken rifled a half-volley into the net off a corner in the final minute to make it 4-2, handing the Matildas the first loss of the window and a stark reminder of nations starting to pull away without them.