In an effort to bring more game time to some of his team, Alen Stajcic made seven changes with Michelle Heyman coming back into the starting XI while Alex Chidiac and Hannah Brewer also were rewarded for their strong performances throughout the tournament.

Tameka Butt returned from injury with Brisbane Roar teammate Clare Polkinghorne coming back in to strengthen the defence.

Portugal came out in the rain to support their team, with World-Cup level singing and a star Vuvuzela that kept the Australian viewers awake for the early game. 

The Matildas held most of the possession in the opening half, with combinations between Chloe Logarzo, Larissa Crummer and Lisa De Vanna creating several chances down the left wing.

Logarzo, who was having her strongest tournament yet, was creating chances but the Matildas struggled to make that final connection. 

Elise Kellond-Knight once again proved how dangerous her set pieces are when the Matildas came close to opening the scoring after hitting the woodwork on a free kick.

But Australia would regret not taking their chances as Caitlin Cooper’s back pass was intercepted by Nadia Gomes, scoring her first international goal.

In stoppage time of the first half, Australia equalised as Kellond-Knight’s reliable free-kick found the head of Cooper.

Australia went into the changing room at halftime knowing they were back in the game but as they came out for the second half Portugal had other plans.

Portugal’s Jéssica Silva would become the hero of the match for her side as she came on in the second half and highlighted clear holes in Australia’s defence.

Silva was too quick for Clare Polkinghorne to contain on her own but some narrow misses and impressive saves from Lydia Williams kept the scores level.

Silva finally found her break after a pass from Vanessa Marques led to a powerful strike in the bottom corner.

Needing to score again to have a chance at winning the bronze medal, Sam Kerr and Emily Van Egmond were brought on but Portugal continued to find weaknesses in the Matildas’ defence with skewering through-balls reaching a barreling Silva.

Australia had their biggest chance to put the scored level again as Sílvia Rebelo took out Kerr in the box but 18-year-old goalkeeper Inês Pereira saved van Egmond’s lacklustre strike to prevent Australia from equalising.

The five Aussies in attendance kept spirits high by attempting to match Portuguese cheers.

However, the fulltime whistle sounded and Portugal claimed the bronze medal and their highest finish ever at the competition

The Matildas will now return home to prepare for their Perth game against Thailand on Monday 26th March and set their sights on the Asian Cup in Jordan for World Cup qualifiers next month.