On this day five years ago, Westfield Matildas’ striker Lisa De Vanna joined the pantheon of Australian women’s football greats with her 100th appearance for the national team.
In the match against the United States at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015, she became just the fifth Australian woman to reach that milestone.
Since her debut in 2004, De Vanna has gone on to lift an AFC Women’s Asian Cup, an OFC Cup, and the Julie Dolan medal, while competing in four FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments and at two Olympic Games.
With a multitude of achievements as a Westfield Matilda, matildas.com.au looks back at just five of De Vanna’s big moments in the green and gold jersey.
2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup - Norway
Despite scoring four goals in the Westfield Matildas’ run to the quarter finals in the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup, De Vanna’s stunning goal against Norway remains one of the greatest goals scored in the tournament.
A second half substitute, De Vanna took on two of Norway’s defenders in a solo build up before firing into the top right corner. The stunning strike was nominated for Goal of the Tournament.
The collection of accolades throughout the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup saw the West Australian born striker short listed for the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year award.
Her outstanding performances throughout the tournament also saw her named as part of the FIFA Team of the Tournament for the first time.
2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup – United States of America
De Vanna reached her 100th game as a Westfield Matilda against the US Women's National Team in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Yet, that was not her only achievement during the match.
De Vanna scored her fifth World Cup goal and Australia’s only goal of the match. It started when Sam Kerr found Michelle Heyman in the box. Heyman deftly moved the ball into the path of De Vanna, who fired it home for the Westfield Matildas.
Despite an ultimate 3-1 defeat, De Vanna’s well-deserved goal against the US showed of her class in front of goal in big tournaments.
2016 AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifiers – Japan
Heading into the tournament, the Westfield Matildas had not qualified for an Olympic Women’s Football Tournament for 12 years. It was record the team were determined to overcome but, with a incredibly tough AFC group and tournament schedule (5 games in 10 days), it was not going to be an easy feat.
De Vanna was the only player to have tasted the Olympic Games atmosphere and in the opening match against Japan it was evident that both the forward and her teammates were there for only one thing – qualification.
Their intent to do everything possible to qualify was on full display as the Westfield Matildas found different ways to score, and the diminutive striker opened Australia’s account with a rare header.
It was indicative of what was to come the next nine days as the Westfield Matildas executed a near flawless campaign on their way to qualifying for the Rio 2016 Olympics.
2017 Tournament of Nations - Brazil
Since their first match up in 1988, Australia and Brazil have enjoyed an intense rivalry and De Vanna had been on the disappointing end of results at three major tournaments.
However, at the 2017 Tournament of Nations the forward would come away with a positive memory against the South American powerhouses.
In a match that would end in a comprehensive 6-1 victory for the Westfield Matildas to claim the Tournament of Nations trophy, De Vanna scored in the 7th and 24th minute.
It was that 24th minute that heralded a personal milestone with the striker surpassing Kate Gill to become the highest goalscorer of all time for the Westfield Matildas – a record she still holds.
2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup – Jamaica
De Vanna’s timeless talent and drive as a Westfield Matilda did not disappear at just 100 appearances. De Vanna headed to represent Australia at her fourth FIFA Women’s World Cup that earned her a new milestone.
While a goal was not on the cards for the striker against Jamaica, the veteran did celebrate becoming only the second Australian footballer (male or female) to reach 150 appearances for their country.
De Vanna displayed off her contribution to the team, putting in the hard work to bring the ball swiftly to Emily Gielnik who crossed it to Sam Kerr for a chance on goal.
