Matildas' Women's World Cup prediction: Who will be Australia's breakout star?

Sporting News Australia

Matildas' Women's World Cup prediction: Who will be Australia's breakout star? image

On the eve of the World Cup, 28-year-old Hayley Raso’s transfer from Manchester City to Real Madrid was one of the biggest stories in women’s football.

Melissa Barbieri, a veteran of four Women’s World Cups for the Matildas with a career spanning two decades, says moves like these are a testament to the growth of Australian football and Raso will only improve with exposure to Spanish football, where a record crowd of 91,553 watched the women’s El Classico between Real Madrid and Barcelona last year.  

The 43 year old former Matilda’s Keeper is one of the most sought- after analysts heading into the Women’s World Cup, working with various media outlets and TAB.

Who is Hayley Raso?

“She’s a class player; she’ll do well for them in her position," Barbieri says. "She was underused at Manchester City, I thought. She’s had a couple of injuries, but she will pronounce herself at this World Cup.”

Raso will become the first Australian in history to play for Real Madrid, where she will coached by Alberto Toril, who previously managed Elche CF in Spain.

“I think we’ll do well because of players like her and Caitlin Foord, and [Stephanie] Catley at Arsenal. All these teams just come to the fore when you think about the Matildas now and that’s why we are going to do so well.” 

Life after football for retired players

“As a retired athlete, you have those pangs of FOMO, but this is the first time that I’ve felt excited about the prospect of watching games,” Barbieri said on TAB’s The Kick-Off Show. “I mean, being able to do this on home soil and having so many people asking me how excited I am is a really touching feeling.”

Barbieri was in-goal at Australia’s two equal-best finishes at the Women’s World Cup, quarter-final appearances in 2011 (losing to Sweden in Germany) and 2015 (losing to Japan in Canada). If Australia progress to that stage in this World Cup the quarter-final opponent this time would most likely be France at Suncorp Stadium, if everything goes to plan.  

“To see the legacy that I’ve been able to leave with the Matildas now being carried on so fervently with these Matildas is just great. To see what type of players and people they have become [is special],” Barbieri said. “They are taking the pressure of this World Cup in their stride and it’s beautiful to see.”

MORE: Which teams have qualified for the 2023 Women's World Cup?

Matildas Women's World Cup group

Group B

Team PTS GP W L D GF GA GD
B1: Australia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
B2: Rep. of Ireland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
B3: Nigeria 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
B4: Canada 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

As co-hosts, the Matildas were automatically placed in Group B for the 2023 Women's World Cup.

They were joined by the Republic of Ireland, Nigeria and Canada after the draw was conducted in Auckland. 

Matildas 2023 Women's World Cup schedule

Australia will play on the opening day of the 2023 Women's World Cup against the Republic of Ireland in Sydney. 

The Matildas will then face Nigeria in Brisbane before rounding out group play against Canada in Melbourne. 

A team from Group D which contains England and China will then loom in the Round of 16 should Australia qualify. 

The nature of the draw means the Matildas will play all of their prospective World Cup matches on home soil. 

Matildas Group B matches

Date
(AEST)
Time
(AEST)
Match Stadium
Thu, July 20 8 p.m. Australia vs. Rep. of Ireland Stadium Australia
Thu, July 27 8 p.m. Australia vs. Nigeria Brisbane Stadium
Mon, July 31 8 p.m. Australia vs. Canada Melbourne Rectangular Stadium

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