Germany kicked off their road to the 2027 Women’s World Cup with a 4-2 friendly win over Australia on Friday, but anyone watching knows it felt a lot closer than that final score. For much of the match, it looked like Germany was in total control, moving the ball with purpose and creating chances at will. Then Australia, led by their captain, flipped the script and made it a truly nervy finish.
Germany Flexes Early, But Australia Fights Back
Australia definitely came out swinging, with Sam Kerr testing Germany’s goalkeeper Ena Mahmutovic right in the opening minute. But Germany quickly settled in, snatched control of possession, and never looked back, at least for a bit. The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Franziska Kett found the net, putting Germany up 1-0. They kept pressing hard, and just seven minutes later, Melissa Kössler doubled the lead, finishing off a sweet pass from Elisa Senß. Those were huge goals for Kössler, her very first at the senior international level, a massive moment for a player trying to lock down her spot on the national team. Cora Zicai was looking dangerous too, and Germany had more chances to extend their advantage.
But just when Germany thought they were heading into halftime with a comfy two-goal cushion, Australia’s captain, Sam Kerr, delivered a brutal header in stoppage time, cutting the deficit to 2-1. That goal completely changed the energy, giving the Matildas something real to build on. They came out after the break with renewed intensity, with Clare Wheeler nearly bagging an equalizer when her shot rattled the underside of the crossbar. Germany kept creating chances through Nicole Anyomi, Linda Dallmann, and Zicai, but they just couldn’t put the game away. The longer it stayed 2-1, the more you could feel the result hanging in the balance.
A Rising Star’s Big Moment in a Nail-Biter
Beyond the wild scoreline, there was another awesome story brewing for Vancouver Rise fans: defender Tori Tumeth made her senior international debut for Australia. Tumeth, who joined Vancouver Rise in 2026 after tearing it up in Australia’s A-League Women, already made a splash in Canada, even scoring in Rise’s 2-2 draw with Montréal Roses FC before getting her first Matildas call-up. She came off the bench in the 87th minute, replacing Winonah Heatley, making a brief but super important appearance for her country. Her journey is a prime example of how the women’s game is connecting players and leagues worldwide, showing how a move to a new competition can really elevate a player’s international recognition. For Vancouver, her debut was a moment to celebrate way beyond the club season, and for Tumeth, it’s just the start of a whole new chapter.
Despite Australia’s fight, Germany finally found some much-needed breathing room in the 83rd minute. Though Australia fought hard, Germany ultimately held them off for the 4-2 win.
This match was a real statement for Germany as they gear up for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, but it also showed that Australia is absolutely ready to challenge anyone. Both teams are building something special, and this friendly was anything but.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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