Australia’s national women football team, The Matildas, cruised into the final of the FIFA Women’s Series 2026 tournament after a dominant 5-0 victory over Malawi at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
Despite rotating the squad and resting several senior stars following the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, Australia displayed efficiency and superiority to overwhelm the Scorchers.
A flurry of goals across both halves ensured the Matildas lived up to their billing as favorites in this historic first-ever meeting between the two nations.
The highlight of the afternoon was a dream debut for Leticia McKenna, who came off the bench to score in the third minute of stoppage time, punctuating a performance that saw five different Australians find the back of the net.
Matildas maul Malawi in FIFA Women’s Series
Australia made several tactical shifts, with Joe Montemurro handing starts to Winonah Heatley and Amy Sayer.
Sam Kerr led the line alongside Caitlin Foord, while Malawi’s head coach Lovemore Fazili was forced to navigate the clash without his star overseas duo, Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga, relying instead on Sabinah Thom and Rose Kabzere
The Matildas were the first to strike, needing only five minutes to break the deadlock. A quick ball played over the top caught the Malawi defense static, allowing Emily van Egmond to ghost in and poke the ball past Mercy Sikelo for the opener.
Malawi attempted to respond through the pace of Thom, but the Australian backline, anchored by Alanna Kennedy, remained resolute.
The Scorchers were dealt a blow in their pursuit of an equalizer as they struggled to maintain possession against the Matildas’ high press.
Kenya’s regional neighbors almost held out until the break, but Australia doubled their lead in the 41st minute. Kaitlyn Torpey found space on the right and delivered a cross to Kerr who controlled the ball expertly before slamming it home.
The second half started with the Montemurro-coached side pushing to put the game out of reach.
In the 60th minute, their efforts paid dividends as Alex Chidiac capitalized on a period of sustained pressure, firing a low shot into the corner after being teed up by Kennedy
Australia then proceeded to make several changes, introducing Holly McNamara and Jada Rankin to maintain the intensity. The fresh legs had an immediate impact; in the 82nd minute, Rankin drove down the left flank and sent a low cross into the box. McNamara timed her run perfectly to the near post, side-footing the ball home for the fourth.
The final flourish arrived in the 93rd minute. Hayley Raso exploited a gap in the tiring Malawi defense to square the ball for debutant Leticia McKenna, who composed herself to slot home her first international goal.
CommBank Matildas (Australia) Starting XI
Mackenzie Arnold (GK), Courtney Nevin, Wini Heatley, Clare Wheeler, Kaitlyn Torpey, Caitlin Foord, Emily Van Egmond, Alex Chidiac, Hayley Raso, Sam Kerr (C), Charlie Rule
Malawi Starting XI
Sikelo Mercy, Madise Chimwemwe (C), Kabzere Rose, Thom Sabinah, Mulimbika Sarah, Chipikula Vanessa, Chinyamula Leticia, Chinzimu Faith, Khumalo Ireen, Alufandika Rose, Mkandawire Bernadetta.