Key events
And here is the match report from Samantha Lewis.
Goodnight!
But that’s just about all from me this evening, on a night in which the Matildas needed a win over South Korea to top Group A but, instead, were forced to settle for a 3-3 draw that saw them finish second in the group.
Their path to the final will now run through Perth, where they’ll face either North Korea or China in a quarterfinal at Perth Oval and then, in all likelihood, face the other one at Perth Stadium if they progress through that.
The South Koreans, meanwhile, will face one of the third-placed finishers in Sydney and then, should they go through there as expected, face off with Japan in a huge semi-final.
But that’s all for another time. We’ll have match reports and analysis on deck soon but, for now, thanks and success.
Caitlin Foord now faces the cameras.
“We have ourselves to blame. We had a lot of chances, myself included, and if we put those away early on it’s a different game. We let them through too easily and conceded too easily. So we only have ourselves to blame.”
Sam Kerr is speaking on the broadcast.
“We know we needed the win tonight, so it felt like a loss.”
“There was a few chances we should have put away and would like to put away. Three goals is nice to score but three goals conceded is disappointing.
“[China and North Korea are] both good teams. Hopefully it goes better than tonight.”
Joe Montemurro speaking on the broadcast
“You never doubt the confidence or the fight,” the coach said. “But we need to manage games better. We were very patchy tonight. And when you play against a quality team, and they can retain the ball, you’re not going to get the result.”
He says that his side was careless with the ball during the contest, not getting their spacing right and letting themselves down with their ball speed. He lamented not being able to build upon the adjustments in the first half in the second stanza.
Came storming back before so old habits crept back in after Korea took the lead. Don’t respect possession enough, poor passing and lack a bit of composure with the ball when chasing a game. It all becomes a bit frenetic and desperate. https://t.co/tozIZFU67R
— Stuart Randall (@StuartRandall) March 8, 2026
Epic game.
Good comeback, Korea.
Too good on the counter early 2nd half. Devastating.
The 5-2-3 tough to break down. Very well marshalled by the skipper at the back.
Australia close many times and another huuge game by Alanna who’s been unbelievable at 6.
Tremendous. https://t.co/iuNoz6QVpV
— Craig Foster (@Craig_Foster) March 8, 2026
A moment of appreciation, though, for the move by Korean coach Shin Sang-woo to throw on Kang Chae-rim and Kim Shin-Ji at halftime.
The pair combined to create their side’s second and third goals and completely changed the game when they came on; exemplifying the manner in which the Koreans teed off on opportunities to get out at pace and transition all night.
FT: Australia 3-3 South Korea
There will be no chance for one last miracle throw of the dice for the Australians, who will end their group stage slate in second-place in Group A, trailing group winners South Korea on goal difference.
In the end, it was the Philippines game that did the damage for the Australians: their inability to convert their dominance and promising patterns of play into a greater margin of victory than their 1-0 win.
As a result, their path to the final will now go through Perth, with a quarterfinal against either China or North Korea next Friday – a game that will also serve as a win-and-your-in game for the 2027 Women’s World Cup – awaiting them.
90+9 Mins: We had seven minutes of added time signalled for after the 90. We’ve gone nine.
Goal! Australia 3-3 South Korea (Kennedy 90+8′)
Kennedy has her second brace in as many games, following the ball into the penalty area and, as Kerr leaves it behind, smashing the ball into the roof of the net.
A 3-3 draw still leaves the Matildas finishing second in the group. But can a miracle now be staged?
Alanna Kennedy gets her FOURTH of the tournament to see the points shared at Stadium Australia 🤝
The result not enough for @TheMatildas to top Group A, with their #WAC2026 Quarter-Final now set to take place in Perth 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/6fOSuA4fOS
— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) March 8, 2026
It’s gone full-time in the Philippines and Iranian game on the Gold Coast, where the Filipinas have run out 2-0 victors.
There’s not a lot of smiles on the faces of the Philippines at full-time, they know that two goals might not be enough to see them into the knockouts.
Chandler McDaniel secures the Philippines all three points on the Gold Coast! 👏
They now face an anxious wait to see if they finish as one of the two best third placed teams 👀
Watch the post match coverage of #IRNvKOR live and exclusive on Paramount+ 📺 pic.twitter.com/koaGm54ZKh
— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) March 8, 2026
90+5 Mins: The Matildas resulting corner is cleared away with relative ease and the second-phase attack likewise comes to naught.
90+4 Mins: Carpenter strides forward before laying a pass off for Foord. She plays the ball to Nevin who slices a ball into the penalty area and onto the head of Kennedy, but her glancing header is saved at full stretch by Kim Min-Jung.
90+4 Mins: Cooney-Cross drives a ball into the penalty area but it’s too flat and too straight and it’s claimed by the keeper.
90+2 Mins: Fowler weaves one way and then the other but her cross in is headed clear. There’s some space for Korea to operate in if they want it and, ultimately, they opt to take the ball all the way down to the corner flag near the Matildas goal.
90+1 Mins: A change for Korea, as Lee Min-Hwa replaces Noh Jin-Young. One defender replaces another.
89 Mins: One of the great traditions of continental football is playing out: the less-rusted on national team fan being exposed to the dark arts of Asian football; boos ringing out across Stadium Australia as Jang requires some extra time to get up.
88 Mins: Any thoughts of punishing the Matildas in transition look to have been set aside by the South Koreans, who look content to sit back and defend their lead knowing their opponents need two goals to overhaul them in the group.
86 Mins: A sense of desperation is increasingly palpable on the Matildas, as they hurl bodies forward in search of an equaliser.
Van Egmond slices a ball into the penalty area for Kerr but, yet again, the offside flag is raised, rendering her missed shot moot.
85 Mins: A pass intended for Van Egmond gets past her and towards Kerr, who kays the ball back for her teammate to have a shot that is sent well over the bar. It wouldn’t have counted, however, as Kerr was offside.
84 Mins: Van Egmond comes onto the park for Gorry, while Heatley has come off for Cooney-Cross. Kennedy will now operate as a centre back.
83 Mins: Some extended periods of possession for the Matildas now, with Kyra Cooney-Cross and Emily Van Egmond waiting on the sideline preparing to be subbed on.
The Korean shape is well disciplined, however, and Kerr’s attempt to dink a ball over the top for Carpenter to run onto gets away from the defender and bounces out for a goal kick.
80 Mins: Kennedy lofts a ball into the penalty area, hoping that Kerr can launch herself at it and head the ball home. Keeper Kim Min-Jung, though, comes out to claim.
I know Kerr and Tim Cahill are great Australian goal scorers, but the last thing the Matildas want to do is fall back into the bad habit of trying to make the former play like a bargain version of the aging form of the latter as they chase the game. Kerr is so much more than a battering ram to send long balls at.
79 Mins: There are clear signs of frustration seeping into the Matildas game now. In front of a huge crowd at Stadium Australia, in a game that has been hyped ever since the draw, this is not how they would have envisioned this game going.
Out on the Gold Coast, the Philippines have found a second goal against Iran and are looking a bit more assured in their quest to secure progression as one of the best third-placed finishers.
76 Mins: The Koreans come forward once more. They’re knocking on the door now and, if anything, they look just as likely as finding a fourth as the Australians do finding an equaliser.
The Matildas clash with South Korea isn’t the only huge game that an Australian side is staging with an Asian rival tonight.
In the World Baseball Classic, Team Australia, with two straight wins to open their campaign, are facing off with a Shohei Ohtani led Team Japan at the Tokyo Dome.
74 Mins: Foord picks the ball up wide on the right but her cross is headed away. On the second-phase, the ball falls to Kennedy but she falls over as she shoots from range and shanks an effort well high and wide.
71 Mins: Ji makes way for South Korea, replaced with the more defensively-minded Kim Jin-Hui.
The Matildas, meanwhile, have made an attack-minded change, bringing on Amy Sayer for Wheeler.
70 Mins: Another attempt from Kang – she’s shaping as a match-winning addition off the bench – but this one is tame and sent straight at Arnold.
68 Mins: Substitutes are up and getting warm for the Matildas.
Remember, it’s not enough for the Australians to find one goal if they want to top the group and avoid a trip to West Australia to take on China or North Korea. They need to find two in 22 minutes.
67 Mins: Another attempt at a rapid transition by the South Koreans but on this occasion, Nevin is across to see off the threat of Kang.
65 Mins: Fowler picks up the ball on the left and guides a low delivery into the box, only for it to be blocked away for a throw-in. Nevin delivers the throw, the Matildas work it to Kerr who, in turn, goes searching for Foord. She, in turn, gets it to Carpenter but her efforts to find some space to whip a ball to a teammate ends with a goal kick.
64 Mins: South Korea go short again, this time wheeling the ball centrally. The move ends with a ball lofted towards the far post, where Ko just doesn’t have the room to get her header back around the upright.
63 Mins: A short corner routine from the South Koreans, one that earns them another corner.
62 Mins: With the lead secured, the Koreans look like they’ve primed to exploit the space the Matildas will leave as they open up in search of another equaliser. They’ve won a corner on the right.
59 Mins: Another attempt for South Korea, after they work the ball across the park from right to left. It ends with a long-range attempt but, on this occasion, it’s sent straight at Arnold.
Goal! Australia 2-3 South Korea
Disaster for the Matildas, who just over ten minutes into the second stanza have gone from 2-1 up to 3-2 down. And it’s the two substitutes thrown on by Shin who have ripped their opponents apart.
Two goals in four minutes sees Korea Republic lead 🇰🇷
The half time substitutes have made an instant impact, with Kang Chae-Rim joining Kim Shin-Ji on the scoresheet.
Watch #AUSvKOR live and exclusive on Paramount+ 📺 pic.twitter.com/yxmRUyCAXX
— Paramount+ Australia (@ParamountPlusAU) March 8, 2026
On this occasion, Kim, moments after converting the penalty won by Kang, swivels and plays the ball out to her fellow substitute, who knocks the ball to her left to open up a bit of space before driving a low effort into the bottom corner of the net.
The Koreans have come out with more purpose and intent in this second stanza and they’ve got their due reward.
