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Holly McNamara scores first goal for Matildas in scrappy 3-0 victory over Slovenia

2 weeks ago 5

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Holly McNamara scored her first international goal as the Matildas triumphed with a 3-0 win against Slovenia in Joe Montemurro's first game in charge.

Emily Gielnik's third-minute strike in Thursday night's match at Perth Rectangualr Stadium got Australia off to a flyer, but it wasn't until McNamara scored in the 86th minute that the win was safe.

Hayley Raso added the icing on the cake in the 87th minute when she waltzed through the midfield untouched before unleashing a strike from outside the box.

Although the 3-0 scoreline looked good on paper, the performance was far from slick in front of a crowd of just 8678.

The under-strength Matildas were error-prone throughout the night, especially in defence where they attempted to play their way out of trouble at every chance.

Montemurro's possession-based game plan was always going to have teething problems, but the sheer amount of errors will be a huge concern.

Things started brightly when Gielnik stayed persistent in a goalmouth scrap to score the opener.

But the Matildas' determination to retain possession at all costs led to numerous sloppy turnovers, many of which should have been punished.

Time and again, the Matildas opted to go backwards instead of finding the gaps further ahead — leading to problems whenever Slovenia were able to pick off the pass.

One such turnover let Spela Kolbl off the leash in the 15th minute, with her floating cross glancing off the crossbar.

McNamara, who has endured three knee reconstructions during her career, was a threat throughout the match.

The 22-year-old, playing her 10th international, finally received her reward when she put away a header at the far post following a sublime cross from Raso. 

McNamara's teammates mobbed her as she celebrated her first Matildas goal.

A minute later, Raso went on a run and curled in a precision strike from the edge of the box. 

Australia face Slovenia again in Perth on Sunday, before taking on Panama in Bunbury on July 5 and in Perth on July 8.

AAP/ABC 

Get up to date with all the action from our live blog below.

Key Events

  1. 4h ago4 hours agoThu 26 Jun 2025 at 1:26pm

  2. 5h ago5 hours agoThu 26 Jun 2025 at 1:09pm

  3. 5h ago5 hours agoThu 26 Jun 2025 at 1:03pm

8h agoThu 26 Jun 2025 at 10:13am

Matildas vs Slovenia live scoreboard

4h agoThu 26 Jun 2025 at 1:26pm

Goodnight

Alright that will just about do us. We'll see you all Sunday for the second game against Slovenia in the friendly series.

Goodnight soccer fans!

Key Event

4h agoThu 26 Jun 2025 at 1:26pm

'An absolute privilege': Gielnik performs in return

(Getty)

"I love that word (experienced)," Emily Gielnik joked on Ten.

"I am old now, aren't I?

"I've got that manifestation - belief system, the characteristic, I do feel like I've got a lot of experience and I've had my fair share of adversity so I've come in here with a big heart, positiveness -- belief system.

"I want to put my best foot forward for Joe and the team and I said at the start, I reminded the girls, it is an absolute privilege to wear this jersey, so why not enjoy it and play for each other?

"Nice to come in and remind everybody of that and yeah, excited to be back."

5h agoThu 26 Jun 2025 at 1:12pm

Sayer style works under Montemurro

The last few games, Amy Sayer has played across the park. Where does she prefer?

"The attacking midfielder," Sayer told Ten post win.

"But I like playing anywhere. I think I showed today I can play anywhere... And Joe gives me the flexibility to bring my own game into his tactics."

Key Event

5h agoThu 26 Jun 2025 at 1:09pm

'Glad to get that one': McNamara

"A kind of relieved, I think," Holly McNamara told Ten about her first goal for the Matildas.

"Obviously I've missed a lot of chances and I think it has been weighing on my mind. I think just getting the goal, it is really important for me, important for the team, had a great cross by Hayley Raso.

"My team-mates, my staff, they have put no expectation or pressure on me. I think a lot of it is internal, which is annoying, but I'm just glad to get that one - everybody worked so hard.

 "A tough game but we also learn from it."

5h agoThu 26 Jun 2025 at 1:06pm

We'll take the win, and no injuries

Hi Marnie and Chris! Gotta love some courageously experimental football. I recall Tony G, similar to Joe M, at the start of his tenure talking the talk about having a more possession+attack style. Back then it unfortunately came with a Swiss cheese defence that took a long time to heal. Joe has the same backline gang in place now; long memories, lessons learned. We can already see how well everyone's learning their integration. Some of the short passing not quite sharp enough yet (watch any vid of Japan, that's where we want to be). I have no idea of our history v. Slovenia or Panama, so go well girls, no injuries please! Captain Carpenter has a nice ring to it :-)

- Big Ben

There is a lot to work on from that first game under Joe Montemurro, absolutely, but hopefully the three-goal win will also inject some confidence into the side who are starving for a trophy.

5h agoThu 26 Jun 2025 at 1:04pm

Crowd happy to see Raso get a run

Hayley Raso is also my favourite Matilda!

- Mike

We don't have favourites here Mike but you know what (me too).

(Getty)

Key Event

5h agoThu 26 Jun 2025 at 1:03pm

FT: AUS 3-0 SVN

(Getty)

It was a last ditch challenge from Tash Prior that saved a goal from Slovenia and kept the clean sheet that Teagan Micah beautifully defended tonight.

Overall, a great first game under new coach Joe Montemurro with Australia claiming a 3-0 win.

It wasn't easy, with both sides having their chances. Australia's defence was tested and there was plenty of scrappy passages but the scoreline a favourably finish for the Matildas.

Plenty to work on ahead of Australia's next game in the series in three days time.

5h agoThu 26 Jun 2025 at 12:58pm

91' + Fives minutes of added time

Holly McNamara made yet another run but the play was well defended from Slovenia.

5h agoThu 26 Jun 2025 at 12:55pm

88' Micah saves!

Matildas might be up 3-0 but the job isn't done yet. Teagan Micah was forced to stretch to make a save.

Last couple of minutes to play.

Key Event

5h agoThu 26 Jun 2025 at 12:54pm

86' AUSTRALIA GOAL - RASO

Hayley Raso just slotted it, easier as anything, into the back of the net. She just cruised right into goal. Brilliant.

Australia are now up 3-0.

Key Event

5h agoThu 26 Jun 2025 at 12:53pm

85' AUSTRALIA GOAL - MCNAMARA

She did it! Holly McNamara gets her first goal for Australia. The first of many - hopefully - to come.

It was a brilliant diving header, who got on the end of a cross from Hayley Raso.

And Australia have the buffer, now up 2-0.

5h agoThu 26 Jun 2025 at 12:49pm

81' Australia unable to get the shot away

It was Ellie Carpenter, who once again put the burners on as she took the ball down the pitch with pace.

Hayley Raso was the last to touch the ball but couldn't get the shot away. A cleaner looking passage from Australia - as both sides have been a bit scrappy.

5h agoThu 26 Jun 2025 at 12:47pm

78' Raso making moves

Time to bring on a few of the class of '24 on...Raso and Cooney-Cross need to be given a run!

- stumcin

Hayley Raso got the crowd to make some noise as she found the ball in the centre of the park.

However, the veteran Matilda couldn't find a way through so sent the ball backwards so Australia could compose themselves and go again.

5h agoThu 26 Jun 2025 at 12:43pm

75' McNamara searches again

The crowd increase in volume once again as Holly McNamara ran towards goal, the ball at her feet.

Again, she couldn't get the shot away in the final third.

(Getty)

5h agoThu 26 Jun 2025 at 12:42pm

73' Raso comes on

Montemurro has made three more subs: Courtney Nevin, Hayley Raso and Remy Siemsen have all entered the chat (the pitch).

Emily Gielnik, Emily van Egmond and Jamilla Rankin have come off.

5h agoThu 26 Jun 2025 at 12:39pm

72' Slovenia chance goes begging

Lara Prasnikar had a shot that just travelled just to the left of the far post. Another close call for the equaliser.

5h agoThu 26 Jun 2025 at 12:38pm

71' Crowd waiting for more action

Niav Owens, the boundary rider for Ten, said there's a bit of a lull from the crowd as they await another goal.

There's a lot of confidence from the older heads on the pitch, said Owens, which they are trying to instil in the other players.

5h agoThu 26 Jun 2025 at 12:36pm

69' Australia holds 1-0 lead

That opening goal feels like a long time ago now. Just three minutes in I was worried I wouldn't be able to type fast enough to keep up with the scoring - but now we've gone 65 minutes of game time without a goal.

5h agoThu 26 Jun 2025 at 12:32pm

64' Slovenia with a brilliant save

Holly McNamara made a great run towards the box, searching for her first goal in green and gold. But the Slovenian goalkeeper won the battle.

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