Matildas vs. China final score, result, highlights as Australia secure last gasp draw in pre-Olympics friendly

Patrick Brischetto

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Matildas vs. China final score, result, highlights as Australia secure last gasp draw in pre-Olympics friendly image

A goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time from Michelle Heyman earned the Matildas a fortunate draw against China in Adelaide.

In front of a sold-out crowd of almost 53,000 people, the Matildas put in a largely lethargic performance, failing to register a shot on target in normal time and looking disjointed in attack for much of the game.

Zhan Linyan's 30th-minute goal appeared to be enough for China to secure a famous win.

But goalkeeper Xu Huan spilled a Mary Fowler free-kick, allowing Heyman to poke the ball into the goal from close range, keeping Australia unbeaten in 2024.

It did little to distract from the poor performance, as a well-drilled China side in coach Ante Millicic's first game in charge – ironically against the team he led at the 2019 World Cup – frustrated Australia and gave them little room to breathe in the middle of the park.

They also created better chances and took the lead after Central Coast Mariners striker Wurigumula outmuscled Kaitlyn Torpey and cut the ball back to Linyan, whose finish looped over Mackenzie Arnold and into the goal.

In truth, Australia barely laid a glove on China despite having more possession, and the introductions of Hayley Raso and Caitlin Foord – later withdrawn due to injury – looked like they would be in vain.

The Matildas piled players forward, including centre-back Alannah Kennedy, and somehow for Tony Gustavsson's side, the chaos paid off, as Heyman scored her fifth goal of the year for the national side to at least give the capacity crowd a moment to cheer and remember.

However, the whispers over whether Gustavsson can lead the Matildas in a successful Olympic campaign grow louder as the team jets off to Sydney for the second match in the series.

The Sporting News followed Australia vs. China live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happened.

MORE: Matildas Olympics group, draw

Australia vs China live score

 ScoreGoalscorers
Australia1Heyman 90+5'
China1Linyan 30'

MORE: List of the Matildas' biggest-ever wins

Australia vs. China live updates, highlights, and commentary

FULL TIME: It's all over in Adelaide, and Michelle Heyman's goal with virtually the last kick of the game has salvaged a draw for Australia against a stubborn and resilient China. The Matildas were well below par for much of the game, barely landing a punch on China's defence, and looked to be heading for an embarrassing defeat. But they did fight till the end, and Tony Gustavsson will hope the late goal can give them a boost going into Monday's game in Sydney.

90+5 minutes: GOOOOOAAAALLLL AT THE DEATH!!! HEYMAN RESCUES A DRAW FOR THE MATILDAS!!! The free kick is swung in by Fowler, the goalkeeper spills it, and Heyman is right on the spot to poke the ball home. It's difficult to say they deserve it, but it's a great moment for the 52,000+ fans in the stadium to celebrate a goal.

90+2 minutes: Chenshu almost seals the game as she breaks away on a solo run and shoots, but her soft effort rolls straight to Arnold.

90th minute: As we approach five minutes of added time, Alannah Kennedy has gone up front as an extra striker. Where have we seen that before...?

84th minute: China's turn for a nervy moment as Heyman nicks it off a defender, she breaks into the box but seems to be caught between two minds about whether to pass or shoot, and a tame effort rolls to the keeper. Meanwhile, a triple change from China:

ON: Mengyu, Cong, Jiali

OFF: Yanwen, Shuan, Mengwen

79th minute: A positive note is the crowd, 52,912 packed into Adelaide Oval tonight. They will hope to see a goal soon...

77th minute: Another worrying sign for Australia as Caitlin Foord has to go off injured, and she is replaced by Sharn Freier.

75th minute: Raso swings in a dangerous cross to an onrushing Fowler, but her effort is wild and over the bar (a good summary of their play tonight, it must be said). China also make another change, as Liu Yanqui is on for Zhang Linyan the goalscorer.

71st minute: Finally some zip into the Matildas' play. The ball finds Fowler on the left, she cuts inside and shoots, and her effort is blocked by China for a corner.

69th minute: Yanwen smashes the crossbar with a shot from point-blank range after she ghosts in behind the Matildas' defence, but the flag is up for offside. Australia's blushes are spared.

67th minute: China make their first two changes, with Wurigumula and Rui Zhang being replaced by Jing Liu and Wu Chengshu.

62nd minute: The changes are here for the Matildas, and it's FIVE of them:

ON: Catley, Raso, Foord, Carpenter, Cooney-Cross

OFF: Torpey, Wheeler, Grant, Yallop, Vine

56th minute: Best chance for the Matildas yet! The ball floats to the back post and falls to Fowler. She has time to shoot, but she opts to take a touch and China recover. The away side then break away and almost get through, but Australia recover.

50th minute: A ping from the back gives Vine a chance to get in behind, and her cross attempt goes behind for a much-needed corner for the home side; the corner eventually leads to a second chance cross ending in a Kennedy header, but her tame effort goes out. At least it's a shot on goal...

46th minute: The second half begins – no changes made by either side at the break. You wonder how long Gustavsson will keep things the same given the tepid first-half performance.

HALF TIME: China take a surprise lead into halftime in Adelaide, yet they have created more opportunities and have looked more defensively assured than their hosts. The Matildas have been lethargic in attack and defence, and are unable to put together any solid attacking moves, leaving their forwards isolated. Expect changes at the break to rejuvenate a flat Australian side.

45+1 minutes: Linyan almost has another as she smashes a shot towards goal, and it is deflected behind for a corner.

45th minute: Wurigumula almost makes it two when she gets on the end of a looping delivery at the back post, but she can't make clean contact and the shot skews wide. Meanwhile, there will be three minutes of added time.

42nd minute: The Matildas cannot get a look in thanks to a stubborn Chinese defence. Heyman and Vine combine down the right, but the speedster is instantly surrounded by three defenders and is dispossessed. The girls in gold need a rethink at the break.

30th minute: GOAL FOR CHINA! Poor again from the Matildas as they fail to deal with a ball in behind, before Wurigumula cuts the ball back to Linyan, who chips the ball over Arnold and into the net despite the desperate efforts of Grant to clear it. A wake up call for Australia, who still haven't had a shot on goal.

23rd minute: It seems Australia have asked Arnold to go down for treatment so Gustavsson can get the team over to his whiteboard, where he is giving detailed tactical instructions. The Swede is clearly not happy with how his side have approached the first part of this game.

18th minute: It's a laboured performance from the Matildas so far, as they are struggling to break through a sturdy China midfield, their passes aren't clicking, and the likes of Fowler and van Egmond aren't getting enough time on the ball. Ante Milicic will be happy with what his side are doing so far.

11th minute: More poor buildup from the back gives Liyang a chance to cut inside and have the first shot of the game, but it's well wide of the goal. Not the slickest Australian performance so far.

10th minute: Not much in it so far, with Australia looking to consistently play out the back, China sometimes sitting off and being compact, and occasionally pressing high right up to the Australia box.

2nd minute: Wurgumula steals the ball off a lax Clare Hunt, but the youngster Kaitlyn Torpey is able to cover and eliminate the danger.

KICK OFF: We're underway in Adelaide! Will Australia continue their winning form in 2024, or will their former manager give them a bloody nose?

One minute from kickoff: Anthems are done, kickoff is moments away!

Seven minutes before kickoff: The teams are in the tunnel and about to enter the pitch, to what should be an almighty roar from the crowd!

15 minutes before kickoff: Getting closer to kickoff in front of over 50,000 in Adelaide...

1hr before kickoff: China's lineup is also in, with Ante Milicic naming a strong side for his first game in charge. Wurigumala is playing up front as expected, whilst Li Mengwen and Zhang Linyang are also in the starting side.

  • China confirmed lineup: Huan (GK) — Mengwen, Qiaozhu, Dou, Haiyan — S. Wang, Y. Wang, Linyan — Zhang, Gao, Wurigumula

1 hour 20 mins before kickoff: The Matildas' starting lineup is in! Charli Grant will start in her home city, while Clare Wheeler gets the nod in midfield with Kaitlyn Torpey to feature in the backline.

There are plenty of stars among the substitutes, with the likes of Steph Catley, Ellie Carpenter, Caitlin Foord, Hayley Raso and Kyra Cooney-Cross starting from the bench.

1 hour 30 mins before kickoff: While Adelaide Oval is primarily used as an Aussie Rules ground this time of year, the surface looks in good nick ahead of tonight's game.

We can expect dry conditions, with the temperature to drop to around 10 degrees Celsius during the match.

2 hours before kickoff: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of the Matildas' friendly match against China in Adelaide. There may be no points or silverware on the line tonight, but it's still an important fixture for the Matildas as they look to hit top gear ahead of a tough Olympics campaign next month. They won't be given an easy ride by a determined China side led by a familiar face in Ante Milicic, the Australian who led the Matildas at the 2019 World Cup.

It's close to a full-strength squad available for the Matildas, with a few youngsters also looking to make their mark and convince coach Tony Gustavsson to take them on the plane to Paris. It should be a fantastic occasion in front of over 50,000 fans in South Australia, and the Matildas will want to win their fourth straight game of 2024!

Australia vs China lineups, team news

The Matildas have named a strong squad for the friendly series, with the likes of Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross all included.

However, their preparations have been disrupted by injuries. Key midfielder Katrina Gorry is still battling an ankle injury, while veteran Aivi Luik is also out injured.

Gustavsson has named a mixed team for Friday night, with some fresh talent integrated alongside first-team stars.

Charli Grant will start at fullback in her hometown, while the versatile Kaitlyn Torpey will pick up her fourth cap at left-back. 

Clare Wheeler will start in midfield alongside Cortnee Vine and Tameka Yallop.

There is some rotation up front, with Mary Fowler to link up with Emily van Egmond and Michelle Heyman in the final third.

Australia confirmed lineup: Arnold (GK) — Grant, Hunt, Kennedy, Torpey — Vine, Wheeler, Yallop, Fowler — van Egmond, Heyman

Whilst much of China's squad currently plays domestically, a smattering of players are plying their trade around the world, including in England and Australia.

Zhang Linyan and Li Mengwen are currently playing for WSL clubs Tottenham and Brighton and Hove Albion, whilst Wurigumula and Wu Chengshu will be up against some familiar faces after playing on the A-League Women's for Central Coast and Canberra.

China confirmed lineup: Huan (GK) — Mengwen, Qiaozhu, Dou, Haiyan — S. Wang, Y. Wang, Linyan — Zhang, Gao, Wurigumula

Patrick Brischetto

Patrick Brischetto Photo

Patrick is a journalist currently based in Sydney who covered the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 Women's World Cup for The Sporting News. He also holds a position at the Western Sydney Wanderers FC, and is slowly attempting to convince the world that the A-League is the greatest sporting competition.