WATCH: Canada defeat CommBank Matildas 1-0 in final match of 2023

The CommBank Matildas have finished a memorable 2023 with a 1-0 defeat to Canada in front of a record Canadian crowd at Christine Sinclair Place.

It was a memorable occasion in world football as it marked the final time that the all-time greatest international goalscorer, Christine Sinclair, would don the red of Canada.

Coach Tony Gustavsson made 10 changes to the team that lost 5-0 to Canada in game one, with Teagan Micah in goals the only survivor in the starting XI. In fact, apart from Micah, the starting team was the same as the one that defeated Canada 4-0 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

The team started on the front foot. Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord in particular were linking well on the left-hand side, while Mary Fowler was pulling the strings centrally.

Despite Australia’s dominance, they were unable to fashion any clear-cut chances. It was Canada who had the better of the opportunities. The best of the first part of the game came when Cloe Lacasse teed up Nichelle Prince – both goalscorers in game one - in the 17th minute, whose shot went just wide.

Australia looked most likely when the wide players were able to make runs to the byline. Immediately after that Prince opportunity, Hayley Raso’s cutback to Foord was deflected away from the corner after a lovely diagonal ball from deep by Alanna Kennedy. However, these chances weren’t resulting in too many shots – in fact, the CommBank Matildas had no shots on target in the first half.

It was the home side who opened the scoring. Quinn was in the right place to capitalise on the second phase of a corner, after the initial shot hit Teagan Micah’s crossbar. It was their sixth international goal.

Canada thought they had a second, minutes later, but it was disallowed after a foul on Micah in the build-up.

Australia were chasing the game after the break, but it was the home side who continued their ascendency. They could have had their second in the 56th minute after a mix-up in defence, but Micah was able to save a shot from Lacasse at close range.

The 48,112 in attendance rose to their feet in the 59th minute. Christine Sinclair, considered by many to be the greatest striker in women’s football history – and with the goals to show for it – left the pitch for the final time. She was replaced by Sophie Schmidt, an Olympic medallist, who was also making her final bow.

Caitlin Foord tried to take things into her own hands. She fashioned an opportunity in the 69th minute, beating several defenders on the dribble, before her shot went just over the crossbar.

Substitute Tameka Yallop found herself in space in front of goals just outside the penalty area after being teed up by Fowler, but her shot was also just rising over the frame of goal.

In the end, it was Canada who were able to send off their icon on a positive note, leaving the CommBank Matildas with plenty to take with them into 2024.