Matildas defeat Ireland after injury blow

The Matildas have overcome the loss of Sam Kerr to defeat Ireland 1-0, in front of more than 75,000 fans at Stadium Australia in Sydney.

Stand-in captain Steph Catley scored the only goal of the game, with a well-taken penalty in the 52nd minute.

The 29-year-old says she was well prepared.

‘I’ve been practicing a lot and I was confident in taking it,” she said. “Tony (Gustavsson) spoke to me a couple of weeks ago about potentially taking one now and then if it comes up.”

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