Matildas vs Slovenia Match Report

The CommBank Matildas wrapped up an international friendly series against Slovenia with a victory and a draw during their June 2025 camp in Perth. Australia claimed a comfortable 3-0 win in the opening match before the two sides played to a 1-1 stalemate four days later. Both matches took place at HBF Park, marking the Matildas’ return to Western Australia after an extended absence from the venue.

The two matches represented the beginning of a new chapter for Australian women’s football, with Joe Montemurro taking charge of his first series as head coach. For Slovenia, the tour offered valuable preparation against a higher-ranked opponent, and the second encounter provided a historic moment when they found the back of the net against Australia for the first time in their history.

What was the score and result of Matildas vs Slovenia?

Key Match Insights

• Australia dominated possession and created the better chances across both encounters at HBF Park.
• Emily Gielnik opened the scoring after just three minutes in the first match, converting from a corner kick.
• Late goals from Holly McNamara and Hayley Raso sealed a convincing 3-0 victory in the series opener.
• Michelle Heyman, brought on as a substitute, scored the Matildas’ goal in the second match.
• Slovenia achieved a historic milestone by scoring their first-ever goal against Australia.
• The attendance of 8,678 for the first match demonstrated strong local interest in the women’s team.
• Joe Montemurro began his tenure as head coach with a clean sheet and three points.

Match Snapshot

When and where is the Matildas vs Slovenia match?

Series Schedule and Venues

Both fixtures in the Australia versus Slovenia series were held at HBF Park in Perth, Western Australia. The first match took place on Thursday, June 26, 2025, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 AM local time. The second encounter followed on Sunday, June 29, 2025, maintaining the same morning start time. This scheduling aligned with the standard broadcast windows for Australian audiences while accommodating the European time zone considerations for the visiting side.

The venue represented a significant return for the national team. HBF Park had not hosted Matildas matches for an extended period, making the June 2025 tour a notable occasion for supporters in Western Australia. The stadium’s 20,000-plus capacity ensured a comfortable atmosphere, with the opening match drawing 8,678 spectators to witness the new coach’s debut.

Match Atmosphere and Fan Reception

Football West, the governing body for the sport in Western Australia, promoted the series as the Matildas marking their Perth return. The coverage highlighted the significance of hosting the national team and the opportunity for local fans to see high-level women’s football up close. Reaction from the A-Leagues coverage of the second match focused on Michelle Heyman’s goal and the competitive nature of the draw, though detailed fan sentiment analysis was not extensively reported.

Where to watch Matildas vs Slovenia live?

Broadcast and Streaming Options

The matches at HBF Park kicked off at 7:00 AM local time, which translated to favorable morning viewing windows for audiences across Australia’s eastern states. Official highlights from both matches have been published on the Football Australia YouTube channel, providing free access to key moments including Gielnik’s opener, the late goals in the first match, and Heyman’s strike in the series finale.

Broadcast details for live television coverage were not explicitly specified in the official communications, though matches were likely shown through CommBank and Football Australia channels as part of their regular coverage arrangements. The official Football Australia website serves as a primary source for confirmation of broadcast schedules and streaming availability for future fixtures.

Accessing Match Highlights

Full match highlights are available on the Football Australia YouTube channel. The first match compilation features Emily Gielnik’s early goal from a corner, Slovenia’s threats including their crossbar strike, and the late goals from McNamara and Raso. The second match highlights showcase Michelle Heyman’s goal, Slovenia’s historic equalizer, and notable defensive work from Clare Hunt including several key blocks.

What were the lineups for Matildas vs Slovenia?

Australia Starting XI (First Match)

Teagan Micah led the team from goalkeeper, protected by a back four of Jamilla Rankin, Clare Hunt, Ellie Carpenter, and Alanna Kennedy. The midfield featured Amy Sayer, Emily van Egmond, and Alex Chidiac, with Michelle Heyman entering play in the 64th minute. Holly McNamara, Hayley Raso, and Emily Gielnik formed the attacking line. Charli Grant also appeared, entering in the 87th minute. Some sources listed minor variations in the defensive lineup, including alternative names for certain positions.

Slovenia Starting XI (First Match)

Zala Meršnic started in goal for Slovenia. The defensive line included Lana Golob, Sara Agrež, and Kaja Korošec, with Dominika Conc completing the back four. The midfield featured Lara Prašnikar, Špela Kolbi, Sara Makovec, Kaja Eržen, Zara Kramžar, and Maja Sternad. Substitutions were distributed throughout the match, with Tinkara Testen entering in the 72nd minute, Izebela Križaj in the 61st, Sara Ketiš in the 60th, Nina Kajzba in the 61st, and Korina Janež in the 60th. Zala Kuštrin also appeared, entering in the 78th minute.

Head to head: Matildas vs Slovenia history

The June 2025 series represented the first-ever meetings between Australia and Slovenia in women’s international football. Prior to these fixtures, no competitive or friendly matches had been recorded between the two nations at senior level. This meant that Slovenia entered the encounters without any historical reference points for tactics or previous performances against the Matildas.

The second match held particular significance for the visiting side. Slovenia scored their first-ever goal against Australia during the 1-1 draw, a milestone achievement for a nation still building its profile in international women’s football. The goal marked a symbolic breakthrough, transforming what would have been two losses into a more balanced representation of the series.

Match Timeline

1. First Match — June 26, 2025: Emily Gielnik scored after three minutes, converting from a corner kick to give Australia an early lead.
2. First Match — First Half: Australia dominated possession and created several chances. Slovenia responded with a crossbar strike and had further opportunities.
3. First Match — 51st Minute: Slovenia’s Zara Kramzar forced a save from Teagan Micah, representing the visitors’ most threatening moment of the half.
4. First Match — 64th Minute: Michelle Heyman entered the match as a substitute for Alex Chidiac.
5. First Match — 86th Minute: Holly McNamara added Australia’s second goal to double the advantage.
6. First Match — 87th Minute: Hayley Raso capped a strong performance with a sublime strike, making it 3-0.
7. Second Match — June 29, 2025: Michelle Heyman scored to put Australia ahead against Slovenia.
8. Second Match — Second Half: Slovenia equalized through a smashed shot after sustained pressure, creating history with their first goal against Australia.
9. Second Match — Full Time: Both teams shared the points in a 1-1 draw, concluding the series.

Confirmed Facts vs Uncertain Information

Match Analysis and Context

The two-match series provided Joe Montemurro with an immediate opportunity to assess his squad ahead of more demanding competitive fixtures. His debut resulted in a clean sheet and three points, establishing a positive foundation. The opening match demonstrated Australia’s ability to convert early pressure into goals while maintaining defensive discipline, a combination that will serve the team well in future qualification campaigns.

The second match revealed that Slovenia posed a genuine threat when they committed players forward. Their equalizing goal came after sustained pressure, suggesting the visitors grew in confidence as the series progressed. This progression marks valuable development for a national team still establishing itself on the international stage.

Implications for Future Fixtures

The performances across both matches indicated a Matildas squad capable of scoring from multiple sources and maintaining leads. Michelle Heyman’s impact as a substitute in both matches highlights squad depth and the value of rotational options. For Slovenia, scoring their first goal against Australia provides psychological confidence heading into subsequent friendly fixtures against other high-ranked nations.

Coach Quotes and Sources

Football West described the series as the Matildas marking their Perth return, emphasizing the significance of bringing elite women’s football back to Western Australia for an extended absence from the venue.

The A-Leagues coverage of the second match emphasized Michelle Heyman’s goal as a positive outcome within the context of a competitive draw. Official match reports from Football Australia and the Matildas’ own platform confirmed scorelines, lineups, and attendance figures. ESPN provided detailed match statistics and timeline information for both fixtures.

Video highlights from the Football Australia YouTube channel provided visual confirmation of key moments including goal sequences, defensive interventions, and notable individual performances. Sources consistently confirmed the details of the series across multiple independent platforms, establishing a reliable factual foundation for reporting.

What’s Next for the Matildas

The June 2025 series against Slovenia marked the beginning of Joe Montemurro’s tenure and provided essential preparation time ahead of upcoming competitive obligations. With no specific injuries reported during the matches, the coaching staff will have a relatively healthy squad to work with moving forward. The mixture of experienced internationals and emerging talents demonstrated throughout the series suggests depth across multiple positions.

For fans planning attendance at future matches, understanding venue layouts and facilities can enhance the matchday experience. The Marvel Stadium Seating Guide provides comprehensive information about stadium accessibility, viewing angles, and facilities that apply to similar venues hosting national team fixtures.

As the Matildas continue their preparation cycle, additional friendly matches and competitive fixtures will be announced through official Football Australia channels. The performances against Slovenia, particularly the ability to score from set pieces and maintain defensive structure under pressure, provide a solid platform for the challenges ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions