The Matildas closed their 2025 calendar with authority, winning the Adelaide friendly match 2-0 over New Zealand. A packed crowd watched a confident display in this Women’s International Friendly, where control and tempo set the tone. The result reads Matildas 2-0 New Zealand, and the performance matched the scoreline.
Alanna Kennedy opened the night with a composed header, marking a decisive Alanna Kennedy goal. Late on, Hayley Raso added a cool second, delivering the Hayley Raso goal that sealed it. Australia finished with a 14–4 shot edge, pressing high and breaking lines with purpose.
The Sam Kerr return drew a roar. Starting her first game on home soil in more than two years, the captain played 45 minutes and sparked several flowing moves. Even without a shot on target, her movement created lanes for Caitlin Foord and Mary Fowler.
Head coach Joe Montemurro praised the group’s energy and depth, saying the team looked ready for the next step. New Zealand, set up in a compact 4-3-3, pushed in brief spells and asked questions of Teagan Micah. The broadcast reached Australian audiences live and free on Network 10 and Channel 10, with kickoff pegged at 8:00 p.m. ACDT/8:30 p.m. AEDT, highlighting national interest in Australia vs New Zealand women.
Across the night, the takeaway was clear: composure in front of goal, bite in the press, and a clean sheet to close the year. In a strong Women’s International Friendly showing, the Matildas 2-0 New Zealand scoreline felt earned—and timely.
Match recap from Adelaide: Australia 2-0 New Zealand
In this Australia 2-0 New Zealand recap, the hosts controlled tempo and territory from the opening whistle. Early pressing set the tone, and clear patterns on the flanks kept New Zealand pinned deep. The crowd lifted every surge as Australia mixed quick switches with direct runs into the box.
Scorers and key moments: Alanna Kennedy and Hayley Raso on target
The breakthrough came with a sharp Kennedy opener in the 19th minute, a composed finish after a scramble in the area. After the interval, the Raso second-half goal doubled the cushion within minutes, capping a sweeping move from the left that unsettled the back line.
Australia kept the pressure high with angled crosses and cutbacks. Set pieces added bite, and second balls fell kindly as the rhythm built in midfield.
Sam Kerr’s impactful return to a home starting XI
Sam Kerr returned to a home starting XI and sparked combinations across the front. Her runs pulled markers and opened lanes for teammates, even without a clean shot on target. The captain’s presence steadied the press and gave Australia an edge in duels.
With Kerr off at halftime, rotations maintained pace and width. Possession stayed secure, and the team’s shape remained compact between the lines.
Turning points: early pressure, second-half surge, and near-misses by Caitlin Foord
Australia’s early press rattled the visitors and set up territory for waves of attacks. The second-half surge brought control and the decisive finish as Raso struck. Across both halves, Caitlin Foord chances kept the scoreline in motion, but New Zealand’s keeper stood tall.
Foord carved space on the left and arrived late in the box for two clear looks. One drive skimmed past the far post; another was smothered at close range.
New Zealand’s response and Alina Santos’ saves
New Zealand’s compact 4-3-3 produced a spell of pressure that tested Teagan Micah, forcing quick reactions on a flurry of shots. At the other end, repeated Alina Santos saves denied Australia a third, including a reflex block from a tight angle.
A deflection in the buildup left Katie Kitching injury concerns, though she was able to walk off and sit on the bench. The visitors held firm late, but Australia’s control and balance saw out the result.
Women’s International Friendly significance and takeaways
The Adelaide win carried weight beyond the score. It offered clear Adelaide friendly takeaways on rhythm, rotations, and roles as part of focused Asian Cup preparation. The staff treated it as a live lab, testing pace control, pressing cues, and set-piece variety against a disciplined opponent.
Why the result matters ahead of the Asian Cup
The clean sweep doubled as a final audition for Matildas depth and selection. Alanna Kennedy’s calm return, Hayley Raso’s direct wing play, and Sam Kerr’s tempo lift across 45 minutes showed how the group can change gears without losing structure. That adaptability under pressure is core to Asian Cup preparation, where tight turnarounds demand reliable pieces and quick reads.
Volume told its own story. Fourteen shots against a low-to-mid block indicated the attack can create chances while managing transitions. With Teagan Micah steady during the early surge, Australia banked film to tune spacing, timing of runs, and the set-piece edge they will need in March.
Joe Montemurro’s “Total Football” philosophy taking root
The shape flexed in line with Montemurro Total Football: fullbacks stepping in, midfielders drifting wide, and forwards rotating through the half-spaces. Amy Sayer’s comfort between lines, supported by quick center-back circulation, kept options live on both flanks. The team pressed in waves, then cooled the tempo to protect zones when needed.
These patterns sharpen Matildas depth and selection decisions. Because roles are fluid, selection favors players who switch tasks mid-phase—carry, combine, or cover. That versatility underpins the model and reduces risk when the bench is called upon in tournament play.
What New Zealand’s compact setup revealed about Australia’s buildup
The New Zealand 4-3-3 analysis highlighted a narrow, compact block with a deeper line to choke central lanes. It briefly tested Australia’s rest defense and first-phase choices, forcing cleaner angles and quicker support to the ball. Micah’s handling of the early flurry kept control while the structure settled.
In response, Australia buildup play leaned on third-player combinations and diagonal switches to pull markers out. Late chances for Caitlin Foord showed how width plus underlaps can unpick a set block. These are actionable Adelaide friendly takeaways that reinforce spacing, release timing, and the finishing detail vital to the next camp.
How to watch highlights and broadcast details
For viewers who missed the live action, the Network 10 broadcast carried the Women’s International Friendly from Adelaide, with Channel 10 & Drama providing coverage across Queensland, Northern Territory, and Western Australia. If you’re searching how to watch Matildas vs New Zealand after the fact, start with these channels’ replay windows and on-demand hubs.
The Adelaide kickoff time was 8:00 p.m. ACDT, aligning to 8:30 p.m. AEDT for the east coast. That timing helps when queuing replays or catching bite-size clips. To revisit the key moments, look for highlights Australia New Zealand women packages pushed shortly after the final whistle.
Paramount+ commentary featured A-Leagues analyst Grace Gill alongside Andy Harper, adding context on Alanna Kennedy’s opener and the tactical shape. For extended cuts and tactical angles, Paramount+ commentary archives and Network 10 broadcast replays remain the most reliable sources.
To streamline your search on mobile or smart TV, use clear terms such as highlights Australia New Zealand women, how to watch Matildas vs New Zealand, and the exact Adelaide kickoff time. Pair that with Network 10 broadcast and Channel 10 & Drama in your queries to surface the correct feed and post-match edits.
What’s next: Australia’s focus shifts to the Asian Cup
With Adelaide in the books, the Matildas turn to the Matildas Asian Cup 2025, a campaign that begins with the Australia March 1 Perth kickoff. The mood is calm and assured. Joe Montemurro praised the week’s energy and growth, noting he can flip between proactive and protective plans. That flexibility suits a group building toward Total Football Australia women principles while staying disciplined without the ball.
The friendly doubled as a last audition for Montemurro squad selection. Alanna Kennedy returned from suspension with control at the back. Hayley Raso delivered with sharp, decisive finishing. Sam Kerr leadership stood out in her first home start since before the 2023 World Cup, setting the tempo and standards in every huddle and press. Her message was simple: learn from the semifinal surge, take the Asian Cup one game at a time, and respect the strength of regional rivals.
Staff will now refine patterns against compact blocks like New Zealand’s 4-3-3 and improve final-third conversion after a 14-shot night. Halftime rotations featuring Courtney Nevin and Holly McNamara offered balance and pace, and those tweaks will shape the depth chart. Expect targeted Matildas preparation sessions to lock in pressing triggers, set-piece variations, and late-game management.
Australia carries a clean sweep over New Zealand and a measured 2-0 in Adelaide into the final phase before March. The goals are clear: keep the defensive line connected, turn pressure into points, and finalize Montemurro squad selection without losing rhythm. If the current blend of control and speed holds, the Australia March 1 Perth kickoff should showcase Sam Kerr leadership and a confident, adaptable unit ready for the demands of the Matildas Asian Cup 2025 under the evolving framework of Total Football Australia women.
