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Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size 5.34amAustralia’s starting XI 5.28amWho’s the captain now? Hide key posts Go to latest Pinned post from 5.19am Have your say Latest posts Latest posts England’s starting XI England coach Sarina Weigman has gone for a healthy mix of old and new in her starting XI this morning; Lucia Kendall makes her senior international debut but is joined by veteran Lucy Bronze who is narrowing in on the record for most appearances of any Lioness. This will be her 143rd cap. Hannah Hampton is also back in goals for England after an injury kept her out of a rare loss over the weekend against Brazil. Australia’s starting XI Mackenzie Arnold is back and after redemption for the three goals put past her in 2023. It’s been a while since we’ve seen Arnold between the posts for Australia and we’re yet to see who will become the first-choice pick for the squad when the Asian Cup begins, so no doubt this is an important match for her. Who’s the captain now? For all those campaigning for Kerr to reclaim her captaincy, you’ll be pleased to know she’s been named captain this morning. War is over. Steph Catley had something to say about it on Monday. “The way I see it is Sam’s always been our captain. I am the vice captain, and she’s been out for two years. It does seem to be a point of interest but not so much within our camp. It’s not something that Sam and I have sat and discussed at all. I think it’s something that has just sort of felt like a given,” she said over a video call from England. “And now she’s back, she’s stepping back into the captaincy role as she should, and we all support her through all of that, and I’ll always be her number one supporter and her vice captain working with her to get the most out of our team.” Advertisement Have your say What happened last time the Matildas played England On Monday night over Zoom from the Matildas camp, Steph Catley said she still has wounds from the last time her team played England. “I think that was probably one of the most heartbreaking games I’ve played in my career,” she said. Sam Kerr is devastated after the final whistle in the World Cup semi-final between Australia and England.Credit: Reuters It was more than two years ago when the Matildas were on the verge of their very own “Cathy Freeman moment” inside Sydney’s Accor Stadium during the 2023 Women’s World Cup. The Matildas had made it through the quarter-final, knocking out an impressive French side after a gruelling match that ended in the longest penalty shootout of men’s or women’s World Cup soccer. What lay between the Matildas and the final was a tormenting English side that went up 1-0 in the 36th minute when a goal from Ella Toone swung past Mackenzie Arnold. Kerr’s contender for goal of the tournament in the 63rd minute was overcome by late strikes from England’s Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo. To rub salt in a wound, Toone and Russo are both starting in this morning’s friendly. Not long after the semi-final whistle blew, our own Vince Rugari wrote of the Matildas: “These players have overcome what feels like a lifetime’s worth of trials and tribulations in the space of a few short weeks. In so doing, the country fell hopelessly in love with them. They have not won a trophy, but they have won what feels like a permanent place in everyone’s heart, and an unimpeachable new status within broader Australian culture – and as far as consolations go, that’s pretty damn good.” To revisit the entire story from Vince Rugari, click here. If you’re a masochist, there’s more. Emma Kemp’s post-match analysis from that night is available here. Welcome to our coverage Good morning to some very early risers and good evening to any expats tuning in from Clapham, my name is Frances Howe and I’ll be with you as the Matildas meet England for the first time since their 2023 World Cup heartbreak. Joining me are Emma Kemp and Vince Rugari, who’ll be able to provide a bit more insight into what state the squad is in with just three friendlies (including this one) scheduled before the start of the 2026 Asian Cup. Kick off at Derby’s Pride Park Stadium is at 7.00pm local time and 6.00am AEDT. The match will be streamed on Paramount+. Up next, a reminder of what went down the last time the Matildas met the Lionesses. Although no doubt some of you are still trying to forget. Most Viewed in Sport Advertisement Back to top The Sydney Morning Herald The Sydney Morning Herald Brisbane Times The Australian Financial Review Classifieds Place your ad Commercial Real Estate The Sydney Morning Herald Contact & support Advertise with us Newsletters Accessibility guide Photo sales Purchase front pages Content licensing Work with us Terms of use Privacy policy Press Council Charter of Editorial Independence AI Editorial Guidelines Products & Services Subscription packages Subscriber FAQs Delivery status Today’s Paper Good Food Guide Daily Puzzles Copyright © 2025
