Key occasions
33 Mins: Play resumes and we nearly have a 3rd aim inside 20 seconds! Does an ‘I wasn’t prepared’ rule exist? We might need came upon had Carpenter’s livid run to the byline and cutback rolled to the toes of a Matildas teammate quite than empty house atop the Iranian six-yard-box.
32 Mins: Ok. More delays now because it seems the referees have had some form of breakdown with their communication gear.
Given how heavy the rain is, I hope someone didn’t skimp out on the waterproof gear…
Goal! Australia 2-0 Iran (Fowler 27′)
Fowler’s first begin for the Matildas in 332 days has delivered a aim! And whereas it’s hardly the prettiest of strikes, only a few, particularly her, will care.
Foord finds house on the left and slices a ball into the penalty space, in search of the pinnacle of Kerr. It sails over the pinnacle of the Australian talisman and in the direction of Yektaei however the Iranian keeper can’t management the ball, as a substitute spilling it to her left.
Reacting shortly, Fowler lunges at it, getting her boot round marker Ramezanizadeh, and pokes it softly into the again of the web.
A prolonged VAR overview subsequently confirms that the aim will stand, with play then additional delayed as Yektaei receives therapy for a knock.
25 Mins: A cross in from the correct spills out to Nevin in house however she will get her toes caught up beneath her as she makes an attempt to shoot, resulting in the hazard shortly passing. The look of frustration on her face tells all of it.
24 Mins: You can see that there’s a transparent emphasis on the Matildas making triangles and utilising quick, sharp passing to maneuver the ball across the packed Iranian defence however, for now, the underdogs are holding robust when they should.
22 Mins: Some extra moments in possession for Iran however the Matildas finally use the ball again and shortly transfer to transition up the sector.
Well-organised defence by the facet in white, nonetheless, blocks away Foord’s makes an attempt to drive into the field and the Australians are pressured to reset in possession.
20 Mins: For the primary time, Iran makes use of their set piece to get the ball into the Matildas defensive third. It doesn’t quantity to a lot, although, with Nevin main the efforts to see off their tried foray down the correct.
18 Mins: Foord has the ball at the back of the web! That’s good. But the flag can also be up. That’s dangerous. It’s going to a VAR overview. That’s good. But the replay exhibits that the Arsenal attacker is certainly offside. That’s dangerous. Play resumes, sans potassium benzoate.
So near a second aim of the evening for @TheMatildas 🤏
Caitlin Foord with an excellent strike to seek out the again of the web, however Australia’s quantity 9 is dominated to have been marginally offside ❌
Watch #IRNvAUS live on Paramount+ 📺 pic.twitter.com/7kFnR0ztqs
— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) March 5, 2026
17 Mins: The Matildas are queuing up right here; Chloe Lincoln is the one participant inside their facet of the pitch and a lot of the different 21 are contained in the defensive third of the Iranians.
16 Mins: The Matildas get ahead once more and Foord lays the ball off for Sayer, who whips in a ball that takes a deflection off Imani as she makes an attempt to clear and goes simply huge of the put up. The ensuing nook is put onto the roof of the web by Van Egmond.
15 Mins: Play resumes and Kerr has one other alternative quickly after, Fowler selecting her out in house within the penalty space just for Imani to dam her shot out for a nook.
The Iranians subsequently clear away the set piece.
12 Mins: A pause in play is required after Behesht goes down and requires some therapy to her left ankle. She limps off below her personal energy and whereas it appears as if she’ll be proper to proceed, we’ll await official affirmation.
11 Mins: It’s nearly two! Van Egmond slides a surgical by way of ball for Kerr to run onto however her ensuing shot, Yektaei charging her down, is lofted simply huge over the bar.
Goal! Australia 1-0 Iran (Sayer 8′)
A much-needed early breakthrough arrives and whereas I’m not fairly positive how a lot she meant it, it’s come off the boot of Sayer! Carpenter goes on a barnstorming run up the correct earlier than flicking it throughout to Sayer close to the touchline.
She cuts inside to create some house and whips a cross-cum-shot into the field that soars, like a sweet wrapper caught in an updraft, over the pinnacle of Yektaei and nestles itself contained in the far postQ
7 Mins: Some good interaction between Nevin and Foord on the left springs the previous right into a yard of house to chop the ball again right into a harmful space however there’s no person carrying black – Australia are of their away kits tonight – to satisfy it or ricochet off the Iranian’s first try to clear.
6 Mins: More possessional dominance from the Matildas however no additional forays into harmful areas; the Iranian defence, as anticipated, transferring as a unit and clogging up the center of the park.
3 Mins: Van Egmond steps as much as take the free kick and tires to skid a low effort into the underside nook however Yektaei will get down low to her left and smothers it earlier than it may possibly cross the road.
2 Mins: Good early indicators of intent from Foord, who picks up the ball in the midst of the park, performs a one-two with Van Egmond, and wins a free kick in a harmful space on the sting of the penalty space.
1 Mins: As anticipated, the Matildas take early management of possession and begin knocking the ball round as Iran assume a their defensive form.
Kick-Off
We are underway on the Gold Coast!
The Australian nationwide anthem has been accomplished now, too. Kick-off is imminent.
So, after their lack of singing forward of the primary recreation made worldwide headlines, the abrupt change of path from these Iranian gamers for this fixture – and what was behind the change in pondering – has supplied a speaking level earlier than a ball has even been kicked.
The Iranian nationwide anthem performs first.
After being silent throughout the opening recreation in opposition to South Koreans, the gamers have as a substitute greeted this night’s rendition with salutes directed in the direction of the flag of the Islamic Republic that has been introduced out onto the pitch and, whereas I don’t communicate Farsi, do seem like singing the lyrics.
The Australian and Iranian gamers are making their approach out onto the taking part in floor, kick-off is imminent on the Gold Coast.
It’s only a bit moist on the Gold Coast…
In a pleasant little little bit of cross-promotion, Australian Formula One driver Oscar Piastri has appeared on the printed wishing the Matildas luck within the Women’s Asian Cup.
He’ll, in fact, take to the Albert Park monitor this weekend for the primary spherical of the brand new F1 marketing campaign in Melbourne – the Guardian to carry you live protection of each qualification and the race itself.
At least one international sporting event is happening in Melbourne this weekend…
85% – #Matildas had 85% possession v Philippines of their opening recreation at #WAC2026 – their greatest price in a recreation since Opta started amassing the info in 2016 & 5 proportion factors greater than their earlier greatest (80%, 7 Feb 2020 v Chinese Taipei). Control.#IRNvAUS pic.twitter.com/PN8oN0cXrV
— OptaJason (@OptaJason) March 5, 2026
Matildas coach Joe Montemurro is dealing with some questions on the broadcasts and factors to the blessing of squad depth and the speedy turnaround to the South Korean recreation when quizzed on the 5 probabilities to his facet.
Fowler, in the meantime, is being introduced in to supply an additional layer of creativity within the facet, citing the compact defences which have been demonstrated by lesser heralded sides throughout the event.
James Paraskevas on the emails. A bit harsher in his evaluation of the final recreation than mine.
A really disappointing efficiency from the Matildas within the final recreation however they get a cross as a result of it was solely the primary recreation of the event (they usually gained – simply). Australians are proud of that! Unfortunately Iran is not going to most likely not present a lot of a take a look at, so that is simply one other “hit out” for Australia in an over-expanded event. A greater take a look at will probably be in opposition to Korea within the final recreation, and naturally from the primary recreation of the knockouts onwards. Anyways sufficient mentioned…Australia 6-0 (Sam Kerr hat-trick minimal). We will have a good time wildly till extra real checks…
Not positive I’m in 100% settlement on the necessity for a heavy scoreline, that 8-0 hammering of the Philippines a couple of years in the past didn’t auger a profitable Olympics marketing campaign, in any case.
Given we’re nonetheless comparatively contemporary into the Montemurro and with larger checks to return, I’m extra after one other step up within the facet’s patterns of play and talent to style clear appears on aim in opposition to a low block.
Of course, that and a 6-0 win can be nice…
So, loads of rotation for the Matildas tonight.
Fowler’s return to the XI is the plain standout, together with her shut management and motion throughout the ultimate third one thing of a distinction to Raso’s extra direct strategy.
How she combines with Foord, Kerr and Van Egmond, who will assumedly be working because the ten, will probably be very attention-grabbing to look at provided that, of all of the adjustments, her addition to the starters feels the one most probably to stay within the latter phases of the event.
Presumably coming into the midfield instead of Gorry, how Sayer shoulders the load of serving as the first ball progressor within the midfield will even play a giant position in how the Australians go in breaking down the Iranians.
There’s a really effective mist coming down at Gold Coast Stadium proper now, ought to make for some attention-grabbing situations tonight #WAC2026
— burke (@ejburke_) March 5, 2026
It’s clearly going to case a shadow over tonight’s match so, as a reminder, The Guardian is bringing you live updates on the disaster within the Middle East.
“These women are prisoners,” says Cyrus Jones, a human rights activist who will probably be attending the match. “Iranian safety is up on their ground [of the hotel] at evening. They can’t go away their rooms. They can’t use the general public bogs. They’re monitored after they go for breakfast, after they get on the bus. They’re monitored in a approach no different gamers from different groups are.
Samantha Lewis has been following the journey of Iran’s girls this event, and has penned this piece forward of tonight’s recreation.
Sam has additionally been on the story of the AFC confiscating the credentials of Iranian-Australian journalist after asking questions on dying of Ayatollah Khamenei at an official press convention – the one time Iran’s gamers have been out there to talk to media – just for it to be subsequently reinstated.
Joe Montemurro mentioned he needs the main focus earlier than his Australia girls’s crew’s Asian Cup match in opposition to Iran on Thursday to be on soccer, because the continental sporting showpiece wrestles with the escalating Middle East battle.
Jack Snape was in Perth for the Matildas’ opening recreation win over the Philippines and bought phrase from their coach about tonight’s recreation.
Iran XI
Three adjustments to the Iranian XI that have been defeated by South Korea of their opening recreation.
Atefeh Ramezanizadeh, Mona Hamoudi, and Mohaddesh Zolfi come into the starters, changing Afsaneh Chatrenoor, Zahra Sarbali, and Shahnaz Jafarizadeh.
Matildas XI
And right here we go, the Matildas line-up is in, with 5 adjustments made to the facet that defeated the Philippines.
Courtney Nevin and Charlie Rule come into the backline for Steph Catley and Wini Heatley, partnering Ellie Carpenter and Clare Hunt.
Amy Sayer and Alanna Kennedy come into the midfield for Clare Wheeler and Katrina Gorry, with Emily van Egmond retaining her place.
Mary Fowler will begin from the opening kickoff, changing Hayley Raso as much as alongside Caitlin Foord and Sam Kerr.
The Australia Associated Press’ George Clarke is on the Gold Coast tonight and has captured footage of a bunch of Iranian protestors singing pro-United States and pro-Israel chants forward of tonight’s recreation.
Iranian protestors at Gold Coast Stadium chanting “thank you Trump, thank you Bibi” forward of their nation’s Women’s Asian Cup conflict with Australia pic.twitter.com/OObbglCaFk
— George Clarke (@GLR_Clarke) March 5, 2026
Perhaps the most important pre-game query dealing with the Matildas is who, precisely, goes to be a part of the beginning XI?
After the injury-enforced withdrawals of goalkeepers Teagan Micah and Jada Whyman on the eve of the event, presumptive primary Mackenzie Arnold was absent from the win over the Matildas, handing a major-tournament debut to the one simply drafted-in Chloe Lincoln.
Word from on the ground on the Gold Coast that Arnold is more likely to play on this recreation, which might be for the most effective provided that, being out-of-season with NWSL facet Portland Thorns, she may use some live-action earlier than dealing with off with South Korea.
Further up the pitch, Kyra Cooney-Cross is one other absentee from the Philippines win that’s shaping as getting her first minutes of the event, albeit one photographs which will come off the bench. Official broadcaster Network Ten, in the meantime, who are inclined to get the superior phrase on these sorts of issues, are reporting that Mary Fowler is about to start out for Australia for the primary time in 332 days and that we’re set for a shake-up within the backline.
Preamble
Joey Lynch
Howdy all, Joey Lynch right here, and welcome to a different spherical of the Guardian’s live protection of the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup, tonight bringing you all of the motion because the Matildas tackle Iran at Robina Stadium on the Gold Coast. Or as Dragan Talajić referred to as tonight’s host metropolis after his Bahraini males surprised the Socceroos in a 2024 World Cup qualifier right here, “The Golden City.”
The results of tonight’s contest doesn’t carry a lot in the way in which of uncertainty. The high-powered Matildas, ranked fifteenth on the planet, ought to defeat their 68th-ranked opponents quite handily this night, with the main focus as a substitute largely centered on simply how they go about doing this. As whereas their rules of possession confirmed indicators of promise in opposition to the Philippines in their opening 1-0 win, the hope will probably be that Joe Montemurro’s facet can use that efficiency as a whetstone for a way more deadly edge in opposition to the Iranians.
Because whereas the 85% possession and 15 photographs in opposition to the Filipinas have been good, that they have been accompanied by simply the lone Sam Kerr aim left one thing to be desired. And with the stiffest take a look at of their group phases to return on Sunday night after they tackle South Korea in Sydney, they’ll need to come into that one with some stage of momentum – particularly contemplating the Taegeuk Warriors put three previous the Philippines of their Group A gathering earlier this afternoon.
The Shirzanan, in the meantime, will take the pitch as soon as once more with soccer serving as one thing nearly one thing of a backdrop to a a lot bigger, morose story being informed: the United States and Israel’s ongoing assault on Iran. The ongoing battle ensures that their ideas will probably be torn between the duty at hand on the Gold Coast and their family members again house, a rising death toll amid a potential broadening of the war, and what way forward for their nation appears like.
The taking part in group have already made worldwide headlines after not singing the official anthem of the Islamic Republic earlier than their opening recreation defeat in opposition to South Korea and we already know there’s a plan for Iranian diaspora that opposes the current regime to make their presence recognized on the recreation this night.
So, maybe not numerous intrigue surrounding the outcome itself, however loads of different narratives and storylines that may line the trail to the ultimate whistle.
Kick-off is at 7pm native/8pm AEDT
