Leticia McKenna News

Matildas next generation take charge in Fifa Series rout over Malawi

The Matildas have shaken off some wasteful finishing to thump Malawi 5-0 in their Fifa Series opener in Kenya. Captain Sam Kerr and veteran Emily van Egmond each scored in the first half as Australia controlled the tempo but took time to put away the world No 153. Alex Chidiac impressed in a return to the midfield, after not being called off the bench at all during the Asian Cup campaign last month, and added to Australia’s lead after the break alongside Holly McNamara. Debutant Leticia McKenna completed the rout with a goal deep into stoppage time. Van Egmond celebrated becoming the most capped Matildas player in history in style when getting on to the end of a free kick to open the scoring in the 5th minute. Kerr doubled the lead when netting from a Caitlin Foord cross in the 41st minute, though Australia might have been well clear of Malawi at that stage if not for a lack of composure in front of goal. Coach Joe Montemurro rang the changes at the break and through the second half, with the fresh lineup bringing more energy and invention to the game. Chidiac put the result all but beyond doubt with a slice of individual brilliance and a rocket into the net in the 60th minute, while McNamara latched on to a Jamilla Rankin cross in the 86th. The Matildas complete the Fifa Series with a match against Kenya after the hosts defeated India, with kickoff on Thursday 16 April at 12.30am AEST. And here is cool, calm McKenna looking like she’s scoring Matildas goal number 10 or 20, not 1. McNamara’s goal was everything the Matildas were trying and failing to do in the first half: Australia had 64% possession and eight shots on target to Malawi’s five. Malawi looked really good in some moments but struggled to translate their individual skills into cohesion up front. The Matildas finish off Malawi with some fresh bursts of energy and nice linking play. McKenna scoring her first Matildas goal in her first match and showing composure under pressure when not all her teammates were able to today. Raso pounces on a loose pass and sends a ball through the Malawi line to the on-running McKenna. She takes a touch at the edge of the area before shooting hard on her right past the keeper for a goal on debut. 90 + 2 mins: Malawi’s corner flies close to the goal but over everyone. Arnold leisurely retrieves the ball for the goalkick. Sayer lets Raso lose in the middle and she towards the left wing, then passes straight into the Malawi defender. 90 mins: Malawi try to make the post of their possession in the final minutes but can’t seem to make more of their powerful runs through the middle. Rule makes a dodgy pass on the edge of the defensive area though and Malawi pounce, the ball going out for a Malawi corner. Raso runs across the centre and passes through to Siemsen on the left. Rankin makes an overlapping run to collect the ball from Siemsen before sending a low cross into McNamara in the six-yard box to hammer into the net. 85 mins: McKenna links up McNamara with a nice foward pass, she charges through the area before cutting back to Siemsen. She can’t get to the ball but Raso then sends it over the cross bar. 83 mins: Raso hits the touchline and cuts into the area from the right, her pass goes straight to the goalkeeper though who is ready. Malawi probe forward twice, both times drawing Arnold out to collect then clear. 80 mins: McKenna makes her first touches with a nice one-two with Siemsen in the area. She is blocked after receiving the second pass though. There’s a pause now with a Malawi player dealing with some cramping it seems. 78 mins: Quick drink break again. And there’s going to be an international debut for Leticia McKenna, she has come on for Chidiac. 76 mins: Raso can’t quite get on to the end of long ball in and Heatley misfires on the rebound. Then there is a huge chance. Sayer crosses in from the right and McNamara can’t get to it but the deflection goes through to Siemsen in front of an open goal. She fires into the crossbar and the ball is cleared. Malawi counter straight away testing the Matildas pace, the solo effort from Henry ends with her shot going wide. 72 mins: Malawi make some substitutions. Thom and Chikupila are coming off and Sani and Banda coming on. They inject some energy instantly as Malawi enter the area and fire off a couple of shots eventually going out for a corner. Australia clear the ball and Arnold ends up with a goalkick. 70 mins: The Matildas corner is taken short and the resulting cross in cleared away by Malawi. The action finally leaves the right corner as the Matildas switch play to the left through Rankin before moving back over the right and unleashing Raso, who is offside. 69 mins: Malawi are switching goalkeepers, Sikelo coming off for Maulidi. Australia have a free kick near the right corner post. They go short to Chidiac who turns and shoots, missing to the right of the near post. 67 mins: Malawi make a threatening counterattack through the centre of midfield. The final shot doesn’t have enough power behind it and is collected easily by Arnold at the near post. 65 mins: Torpey and Siemsen work the ball between them in the right corner but can’t get through the defenders. More changes now. Torpey and Foord are coming off for McNamara and Rankin. 63 mins: A Malawi player holds on to Foord a little too long on the left sideline, drawing a free kick. Nevin fires in a cross which meets Siemsen on the six-yard box and her header goes out past the far post. Chidiac with some Chidiac magic! Oh how we needed that. She moves straight through the centre of midfield, taking her time on the ball as she pushes all the way to the edge of the area. Touches the ball to her left and slots it past the goalkeeper. Brilliant individual goal. 58 mins: The Matildas are making some more changes. Wheeler and Van Egmond are coming off. Sayer and Kennedy are coming on. Sayer’s fresh legs are straight into the action. 56 mins: Malawi make a move forward but lose momentum with a back pass and the Matildas flood back. Siemsen puts a ball through for Raso to run on to but she can’t reach it before it rolls over for a goal kick. 54 mins: The Matildas collect a Malawi goalkick and hold the ball at halfway. Foord cuts through Malawi plays across the field before going one touch too far and losing the ball. Malawi clears the ball which Torpey brings under control again. 52 mins: Nevin loses the ball at the halfway line. Malawi send a long shot Arnold’s way and she jumps to save it right on the goalline. 50 mins: Foord is brought down on the edge of the area resulting in a free kick. One inch further and it would be a penalty. Van Egmond takes a shot and it’s on target but palmed away by the goalkeeper. There’s a scramble in the area before the ball finds it way out and Australia build from the back again. 48 mins: Siemsen gets in on the action by giving away a free kick. Malawi rush forward frantically after the kick is taken but can’t get the ball under control and Arnold takes the goal kick. 46 mins: Raso has an early chance as she dribbles into the area only for a brilliant tackle from Malawi to cut her run short, the keeper able to stop the ball going out for a corner. Peeeeeeep! Malawi are making an attacking change too. Mulimbika off for Henry. OK Kerr is off and Remy Siemsen is coming on. That’s great, now get Foord and Van Egmond off and inject some energy with the youngsters on the bench. And the second from Kerr: Here’s the first goal: That’s the first half in Nairobi and I would think the Matildas will be disappointed with only two goals from their many chances. Malawi were excellent in defence, in closing down Australia’s passes, tackling hard and pressing high to catch them offside. They also benefited from some poor first touches from Kerr and Foord in particular. 45 + 3 mins: A huge chance for Malawi with a free kick in the final third. It looks like Wheeler blocks Arnold’s view as the ball travels towards the near post and it ricochets off Arnold. She blocks the next shot and then stops the final attempt right on the goalline. Torpey surges forward at the other end, crossing in low to Foord who can’t get on to it in time and touches it wide of the far post. 45 mins: Raso bursts forward with Australia on the counterattack and is brought down from behind. The free kick finds Foord who passes across to Kerr in the centre but the Australian forwards have all pushed too far and the flag goes up. 43 mins: Foord has an opportunity on the left now. She quickly gets a shot off from distance but the Malawi goalkeeper has surged off her line to meet it and does well to block the effort. Torpey passes out to Foord on the right outside the area who takes a touch and looks up to see Kerr in the middle. The cross in is brought down by Kerr who lets the ball bounce before slamming her shot home from close range. That’s more like it from the captain. 39 mins: Malawi have a free kick a few metres out from the penalty area on the right. The direct shot is picked up by a well-positioned Arnold. Raso appears in clear space with the ball in the final third and takes a shot after the whistle has blown for offside, getting herself a yellow card instead of a goal. 37 mins: Kerr looks tired, why didn’t they just give her and Foord a rest? Malawi make a dangerous through ball into the area with a player storming in behind. Arnold is able to rush out and pick it up before any damage can be done though. Straight back at the other end Foord reaches the touchline and cuts back into the area, hitting a block of defenders. 35 mins: Chidiac shows her speed and skill on the left, running into the area and passing to Kerr in front of an open goal. Again Kerr’s touch is poor and it goes high and wide past the far post. 33 mins: Unfortunately there are no photos coming through from the ground yet. OK break over. Wheeler passes neatly to Kerr in the area but the captain’s first touch is heavy and they have to start the play again. 31 mins: Malawai are caught offside again. The teams will take a quick drink break at the half-hour point to help cope with the heat. 29 mins: Australia are getting through Malawi’s line but not finishing those opportunities. Torpey has a chance but her cross into the on-running Kerr goes to the keeper. Wheeler sends a long ball to Kerr which is scooped up safely by the Malawi keeper. Chidiac loses possession in midfield allowing Malawi a chance to press up the right which is squandered. 27 mins: Another chance gets away as Raso cuts back to Van Egmond running up on her inside. Her cross is mistimed and travels behind Kerr and Foord who have already pushed up to the six-yard box. 25 mins: Raso is fouled again and Van Egmond steps up to take the free kick. The out-swinging cross is blocked by Malawi and Australia let it go all the way back to Arnold to reset. 23 mins: Van Egmond passes straight through to Raso who is running into the area. The winger nails the low cross to Kerr close to the goalline but she isn’t able to get a foot on it. The Matildas take another short corner, the resulting cross finds Rule in front of goal who heads it over the crossbar. 21 mins: Khumal takes a free kick for Malawi from just inside their half, sending it too far over the Australia defence and into the waiting Arnold. Nevin and Chidiac work some nice short passes on the left. 19 mins: Raso finds Torpey with a through ball on the right who cuts it back into Kerr. The captain immediately finds herself facing a wall of defenders and it goes out for a corner. They take a short corner, it comes to Van Egmond to crosses it high towards the far post where Kerr can’t quite get her head to it. 17 mins: Torpey races the ball to the touchline and crosses it in too close to the post and into the goalkeepers hands. Kerr and Raso link up at the edge of the area but Raso is blocked by the defender. 15 mins: Raso receives a long ball from defence but is caught offside by Malawi’s high line. Then it’s Foord’s turn on the left with another offside call. They might not have been expecting Malawi to press so high. 13 mins: There’s a pause while one of the Malawi players receives some treatment. She is walking off so that play can resume. 11 mins: Australia take a breath and work across the back four before passing forward and losing possession briefly. Torpey breaks into space past the halfway line on the right and dispatches a beautiful pass for Kerr to run on to. She gets a touch but it ends up going out for a corner. 9 mins: Raso pressures Khumalo to the touchline and this time gives away the foul herself. She missed out on Asian Cup matches after her early concussion and looks like she is ready to fire today. 7 mins: Chidiac puts through a nice pass to Raso coming in from the right but she is brought down hard by the Malawi defender. The Matildas are going to have to be wary of how Malawi use their bodies on the ball. The Matildas take a quick free kick just past halfway, sending the ball over the top of the Malawi defenders. Van Egmond runs on to it and manages to poke it past the goalkeeper who is totally caught unawares. 2 mins: Arnold gets a couple of touches early as the Matildas get settled and Malawi indicate they aren’t going to make this easy. Peeeeeeeeeep! Anthems have been sung. Matildas are in their fluro yellow and green home kit. Malawi in Red. There’s a very small crowd at Nyayo National Stadium, including a few Australian flags. 1. Sikelo 4. Madise (c) 6. Kabzere 9. Thom 10. Mulimbika 13. Chipikula 15. Chinayamula 17. Chinzimu 18. Khumalo 21. Alufandika 22. Mkandawire Oops I didn’t actually post the Matildas lineup! Here it is: 1. Arnold (GK) 2. Nevin 3. Heatley 6. Wheeler 8. Torpey 9. Foord 10. Van Egmond 13. Chidiac 16. Raso 20. Kerr (c) 24. Rule Well, that’s a bit different. Montemurro’s has opted for youth at the back and experience at the front today. It’s great to see Charlie Rule getting her third Matildas start. She was impressive in her Asian Cup appearance and has been dependable for Brighton (including in that upset win over Arsenal last weekend). Of course Catley and Hunt are injured, so it’s the perfect chance to have a look at an entirely new back four. And Chidiac! After missing out on minutes in the Asian Cup she will finally get a chance to start making her case for the 2027 World Cup, and could be key to getting through the Malawi defence if they stay deep. If you’re in Australia the only way to watch this match is on Paramount+, no free-to-air broadcast. Many said the Asian Cup was the last chance for the senior Matildas to get their hands on some elusive silverware, but in the final Sam Lewis saw a spark that wasn’t ready to be snuffed out. Quick refresher on the Asian Cup final in March. The Matildas had Japan on the back foot for long periods of the decider in Sydney, as Jack Snape reported, but their late, desperate flurry of shots were scuffed, saved and blocked to end in a narrow defeat. The packed calendar and long Asian Cup path has resulted in some of the Matildas’ best players sitting this series out. Mary Fowler, Ellie Carpenter and Katrina Gorry will take the opportunity to rest, while Steph Catley had to withdraw due to injury. Otherwise, Sam Kerr leads the near full-strength squad with stalwarts Caitlin Foord, Hayley Raso, Alanna Kennedy and Mackenzie Arnold also making the trip. G’day and welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of the women’s Fifa Series match between Australia and Malawi. Jo Khan with you for the minute-by-minute action from Nairobi (the action, not me). It feels like the Matildas’ Asian Cup final against Japan was just last week. In fact, that heartbreaking 1-0 loss was only three weeks ago, which is not a long time between international windows. You have to feel for the European players in particular who have ridiculously busy club schedules on top of the long flights. At least the trip to Kenya is easier than coming all the way back to Australia mid-season. Along with the host nation, India are the other team in the series, with those sides playing each other later on Saturday. Everything is about the journey to the 2027 World Cup now, hence why Joe Montemurro has brought a near-full strength side into camp instead of testing fresh legs, he says. The Matildas have never played tournament football in Africa, and last played an African nation in their 6-5 win over Zambia at the Paris Olympics. They have also never played Malawi, so it will be a test of their adaptability as much as consistency after the Asian Cup. It is forecast to hit a top of 27C in Nairobi today, right on the 2pm kick-off time at Nyayo National Stadium (9pm AEST), and there might be a few showers around too. Get in touch with me via email if you have any thoughts to share: [email protected]. Let’s get into it!

2026-04-11