CENTRAL West stars Ellie Carpenter and Tameka Butt both shone for the Matildas on Friday morning as Australia sealed the Tournament of Nations crown with a 6-1 victory against Brazil.
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Both Carpenter, who was in the starting XI, and Butt finished the match with goal assists as the Matildas went through the inaugural edition of the tournament undefeated.
While Brazil scored first in the match at California’s Stubhub Centre, the Matildas were keen to avenge a quarter-final loss to the same side at last year’s Rio Olympics and lifted.
After 32 minutes the Matildas had the lead and from there did not look back, the 6-1 win adding to a 1-0 victory over the United States and 4-2 result against Japan.
While playing in defence, Carpenter helped set up the fourth goal in the 41st minute for Katrina Gorry.
The Cowra native also warmed the gloves of the Brazilian goalkeeper in the 53rd minute when firing in an attempt from the right.
Butt started on the bench, but was injected into the match after 29 minutes to replace the injured Chloe Logarzo.
The talented attacker played a role in setting up the Matildas’ last two goals – a well weighted through ball releasing Caitlin Foord before the Orange product linked with Sam Kerr nine minutes from time.
Kerr controlled Butt’s cross and fired home to cap off an impressive tournament. It was her fourth goal.
Butt also had an attempt of her own from the centre of the box with just over an hour gone, but it was high and wide.
In the end that miss did not matter as Australia lifted its first piece of silverware since their 2010 AFC Asian Cup triumph and handed Brazil its heaviest defeat since a 6-0 loss to the USA in 1999.
“Australia's favourite team. What a group, what a future, brilliant . This is a pounding,” former Socceroo and now noted soccer commentator Craig Foster said.
