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Orgo-Life the new way to the future Advertising by AdpathwayThe Matildas have been dealt a reality check as they ramp up their 2027 Women's World Cup preparations, suffering a 4-2 defeat to an understrength Germany.
With limited international windows remaining before next year's global showpiece event in Brazil, the clash against the world No.3 in Karlsruhe was crucial.
Headlines before the game were dominated by the absence of Manchester City star Mary Fowler for personal reasons, while coach Joe Montemurro spoke of the next generation coming through.
Germany scored the opening two goals, before captain Sam Kerr's had a header on the stroke of half-time to help the visitors close the deficit before the home team's Camilla Kuver scored in the 83rd minute.
Striker Holly McNamara did find a late consolation goal for the Matildas, but Chelsea midfielder Sjoeke Nusken made sure the Europeans dealt the last blow.
For Germany, the victory came despite the two-time world champions missing a plethora of stars, including captain Giulia Gwinn (ankle) and Liverpool forward Vivien Endemann (calf).
The error-prone Australia, however, will rue the missed opportunity to capitalise on their opponents' outs as a win would have helped them remain firmly in pot two out of four for the World Cup draw, meaning a mathematically better chance for a more favourable draw.
Despite the result, the Matildas will have something to celebrate as defender Tori Tumeth made her debut off the bench in the second half.
She was one of six second-half changes Montemurro made, with Tumeth coming in the final five minutes.
AAP
Catch up on all the action through the live blog below.
Sat 10 Oct 2026 at 4:24amSat 10 Oct 2026 at 4:24am
Live scores: Germany vs Australia
Sat 10 Oct 2026 at 8:13amSat 10 Oct 2026 at 8:13am
That's all from us
Thank you for joining us! We'll be back again on Wednesday as the Matildas go again against Haiti.
Sat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:34amSat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:34am
Matildas next game
Australia next play Haiti on Wesnesday at 6:00am AEST. It's the second of these two October international window friendlies for the Matildas.
Sat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:29amSat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:29am
That's the final whistle
Well that's it. Germany a dominant 4-2 win over Australia.
The world number three expectedly beating the Matildas, world number 15, as each side prepare for the Women's World Cup next year in Brazil.
The Matildas did well to stay in the match, with both goals coming in stoppage time, first from Sam Kerr, then Holly McNamara, but Germany had the majority of control across the match.
A frustrating game in parts for Australia, with older heads like Sam Kerr and Mackenzie Arnold visibly displeased at times. Holly McNamara, Hayley Raso and Kaitlyn Torpey all impressive, and the debut from Tori Tumeth.
GER 4 - 2 AUS, full-time
Sat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:26amSat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:26am
GERMANY GOAL
Wow, Germany answered immediately and in the very dying moments of the match.
It came off the boot of Sjoeke Nusken, who rocketed it past Mackenzie Arnold.
It came from a set piece, a corner not quite dealt with.
GER 4 - 2 AUS, 90 minutes
Sat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:24amSat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:24am
AUSTRALIA GOAL!
And it's Holly McNamara. These Matildas like scoring in stoppage time today.
Holly McNmara scores for Australia. (Getty)Finshing off a great Matildas' run through the guts of the pitch, McNamara got on the end of the ball and struck it straight past the keeper.
A deserving goal for McNamara, who has been excellent in attack since coming on.
GER 3 - 2 AUS, 90 minutes
Sat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:22amSat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:22am
Kuver with a collision
Just minutes after scoring Germany's third goal, Camilla Kuver looking worse for wear after copping some friendly fire in the air defending a Matilads' corner.
GER 3 - 1 AUS, 90 minutes
Sat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:21amSat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:21am
McNamara with impressive moments
Holly McNamara has been impressive since coming on in this second half. She had a great almost-moment but forced a save from Germany's goalkeeper Ena Mahmutovic.
They'll be four minutes of added stoppage time.
GER 3 - 1 AUS, 90 minutes
Sat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:19amSat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:19am
Tori Tumeth makes her debut!
Joe Montemurro has made two more changes for Australia for this final five minutes of regulation time.
Tori Tumeth and Remy Siemsen have come on, with Wini Heatley and Hayley Raso taken off.
It's a debut for Tumeth, with Matildas cap number 244.
GER 3 - 1 AUS, 87 minutes
Sat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:15amSat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:15am
GERMANY GOAL
Well, after a dominant performance from Germany they finally get their third goal. Feels deserving and coming.
Camilla Kuver got on the end of a corner and headed the ball straight into the nets. She was incredibly strong in the air and outbodied her opposition to get cleanly on the end of it.
GER 3 - 1 AUS, 83 minutes
Sat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:12amSat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:12am
Zicai had a ping
Cora Zicai has been incredibly dangerous all day for Germany. She had a shot on target, but straight into the hands of Mackenzie Arnold.
Arnold then was caught off her line with Anyomi in the area, but the Matildas backline dealt with it.
GER 2 - 1 AUS, 81 minutes
Sat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:09amSat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:09am
Germany was a huge missed opporunity
Matildas are very lucky to get away there. Germany almost made it three goals through Nicole Anyomi.
Nicole Anyomi of Germany. (Getty)Anyomi streamed towards goal but shot it wide as Mackenzie Arnold, clearly worried, let out a big roar.
GER 2 - 1 AUS, 78 minutes
Sat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:07amSat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:07am
Final 15 minutes
Germany hold its narrow lead 2-1 as we head into the final 15 minutes. Earlier in the first half, the score was looking to blow a lot further out. Australia have down well to wrestle back into this.
GER 2 - 1 AUS, 76 minutes
Sat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:05amSat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:05am
McNamara coming off
Holly McNamara is now off the ground with blood coming from her mouth.
She's had a lot of injuries in the past and had just entered the game as a second-half sub. Let's hope she's ok.
Sat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:04amSat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:04am
Holly McNamara hit at close range
Holly McNamara bravely caught Germany's goalkeeper's kick out right into the shoulder at close contact. It might have also caught her face or head, and is looking a bit dazed.
She's being looked at on the ground after what was a big hit.
GER 2 - 1 AUS, 73 minutes
Sat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:01amSat 10 Oct 2026 at 7:01am
Australia back under pressure
Germany had a great ball that had Mackenzie Arnold worried, but it went across the face of goal.
Australia feel a step back under pressure now with the host of experience having taken the bench and the youth hitting the park. It'll be great experience for the newer gen of Matildas, but Australia going to need to be bold and assured to keep in touch here.
Kaitlyn Torpey continues to get involved and is proving steady in defence for Australia.
GER 2 - 1 AUS, 69 minutes
Sat 10 Oct 2026 at 6:56amSat 10 Oct 2026 at 6:56am
Host of changes for Australia
Joe Montemurro is making his first subs for the Matildas, with Holly McNamara, Alana Murphy, Leticia McKenna and Courtney Nevin all on.
Coming off is a wealth of experience in Steph Catley, Amy Sayer, Emily van Egmond and Sam Kerr.
This is the next generation up against some of the very best in the world.
GER 2 - 1 AUS, 64 minutes
Sat 10 Oct 2026 at 6:53amSat 10 Oct 2026 at 6:53am
Matildas with another corner
Australia are creating some chances here. They have another corner from Emily Van Egmond, the third from her this second half.
Just missing that final touch to get the equaliser, but Australia are looking more in it than the first half.
GER 2 - 1 AUS, 62 minutes
Sat 10 Oct 2026 at 6:47amSat 10 Oct 2026 at 6:47am
Almost goal for Australia!
Clare Wheeler struck the ball beautifully from range but just hit the wordwork.
It came through a set piece from a corner, with Wheeler almost finding the equaliser. That would have been nice.
Wheeler and Kerr looked dissapointed.
GER 2 - 1 AUS, 56 minutes
Sat 10 Oct 2026 at 6:45amSat 10 Oct 2026 at 6:45am
Kossler looking to go again
Germany's Melissa Kossler is wanting a third goal. She had another shot on target but Mackenzie Arnold saved it in the bottom-right corner.
She then tried again, but was caught offside, before trying again, but was challenged ahead of the box.
GER 2 - 1 AUS, 54 minutes


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