Caitlin Foord Shines in 150th Cap as Australia Defeats Mexico 3-1

Caitlin Foord marked her 150th cap with a captain’s performance and a clinical finish as Australia hit back to beat Mexico 3-1, just three days after a flat 1-0 defeat had exposed how far the Matildas still have to travel before the next World Cup.

On Saturday, Steph Catley called it “the very start of a journey.” By Tuesday night, that journey already looked a little more purposeful.

Foord leads the response

Handed the armband and a milestone appearance, Foord drove Australia on in the return friendly. Her moment came with the Matildas already in control, and she made it count in the way great forwards do – with power, composure and a ruthless finish.

Pinned tight by her marker, Foord rolled the defender with sheer strength, opened up her body and threaded the ball inside the far post for Australia’s third of the night. It was the kind of goal that underlines status, not just statistics.

That strike took her to 41 international goals, moving her into a share of third place on Australia’s all-time scoring list. On a night that was about response and authority, the numbers carried extra weight.

Catley, who had spoken so candidly after the weekend’s defeat, went the distance again, playing the full 90 minutes in the win and giving shape to a back line that had been picked apart in the first meeting.

When it was over, Foord reflected on a series that had been about more than just revenge.

“To reach 100 is obviously huge, and for myself, 150 as well,” she said. “It’s nice to enjoy these moments together, and celebrate them, which we have during this series.”

Milestones shared. Lessons banked. A small but important step on that longer road Catley had referenced.

Lionesses win, but face play-off route

Across the world, England’s Lionesses also found a response of their own.

After slipping behind Spain on goal difference in a tight Group C, Sarina Wiegman’s side needed a statement and a result. They got both at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, beating Ukraine 3-0 to steady the qualifying campaign – even if it wasn’t quite enough to secure a direct ticket.

Alessia Russo led the line for the full 90 minutes and played a central role in England’s second goal, laying on the assist for Georgia Stanway to score. Chloe Kelly entered the game on 64 minutes, adding fresh legs and width, while Lotte Wubben-Moy watched from the bench as an unused substitute.

The win took England to 15 points, level with Spain but behind on goal difference, and that fine margin now forces the European champions down the play-off path in October.

“It’s nice to come back to England, play in front of all of our fans and get a win,” Russo said afterwards. “We also wanted to qualify automatically for the World Cup but now we’re going to the play-offs and that’s tough but it’s football. We had the toughest group playing Spain and we won five out of six games and have still not gone through.”

A dominant record, but no shortcut. England will have to earn their place the hard way.

Spain cruise, Sweden claw back

Spain, by contrast, took no chances. Mariona Caldentey featured for the first half of a 6-1 demolition of Iceland away from home, a result that swelled the goal difference and sealed World Cup qualification with something close to swagger.

Spain didn’t just edge through; they stormed in.

Sweden’s route proved far more fraught. At home to Italy, they trailed 2-0 and stared at a damaging defeat before summoning a spirited comeback to draw 2-2. Smilla Holmberg and Stina Blackstenius both played the full match, driving a late surge that at least salvaged pride and a point.

It wasn’t enough to top Group A. Sweden finished third with eight points from six games and, like England, must now negotiate the play-offs.

North American tests and youth action

Across the Atlantic, it was a mixed window for USA. Emily Fox played 90 minutes in a 2-1 friendly defeat away to Brazil on Saturday, then returned to start again on Wednesday, this time featuring for the first half of a tighter 1-0 win over the same opponents.

Two games, two very different contests. For Fox, two more solid outings in a back line still being sharpened for bigger stages.

Canada, meanwhile, cut loose. Olivia Smith clocked 63 minutes as they dismantled Costa Rica 6-0 away from home in a friendly on Wednesday, a performance that underlined the depth and dynamism in that squad.

The next generation also had its say. In Germany’s under-23s camp, goalkeeper Anneke Borbe came on at half-time in a 2-2 friendly draw at home to Denmark on Monday, adding another step to her own international education.

From veterans hitting historic numbers to youngsters edging their way into senior conversations, this international window carried a clear message: the race to the World Cup is already unforgiving, and it is only going to get sharper from here.