Australia claimed the first-ever Tournament of Nations title with an emphatic 6-1 rout of Brazil at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., on Thursday. Australia won all three of its Tournament of Nations matches to claim the title.
The Matildas entered the match needing only a draw to secure the tournament championship, but six unanswered goals ensured their place atop the four-team group.
In the second minute, Camila slotted a ball in through a throng in front of the goal to give Brazil an early 1-0 lead. But even with the Canarinhas' early goal, Australia dictated the pace of the game and in the seventh minute Chloe Logarzo drew a foul that awarded a penalty kick to the Aussies. Brazilian goalkeeper Daniele Neuhaus stopped the initial attempt from Lisa Da Vanna, but she was able to pounce on the rebound and bury it into the right side of the net to tie the game.
Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold made a tough stop in the 31st minute, boldly playing the ball at the top of the box to prevent a Brazil attempt. A deft clear found Sam Kerr running downfield, and she took the ball almost all the way before dishing to Caitlin Foord, who tapped it in from close range to give the Matildas a lead they would not relinquish.
Just two minutes later, another great clear from the defense advanced the ball to a streaking Kerr, where she delivered another cross in front of the net to set-up De Vanna for an easy score. It was the team's second straight game with at least three goals in the first half after conceding an early opening goal. Australia scored again in the 41st minute and the rout was on. After a series of opportunities, Katrina Gory maneuvered past two defenders and put one in towards the far post.
The Matildas poured it on in the second half with relentless attacking runs. On a counterattack, Tameka Butt served up a fantastic ball in stride to Foord past several Brazilian defenders. She dribbled around the standing Brazilian keeper and slotted in a goal to continue the Aussie onslaught.
After helping to create several goals, the tournament's leading scorer, Sam Kerr put the exclamation point on the Matildas' victory. She won a ball in the air against two Brazilian defenders and finished her run with her fourth goal of the competition in the 81st minute.