Aussie footballers are highlight-machines, but sometimes these amazing moments don’t show up on the stat sheet. So, in a new segment, resident football-expert Kristin Shaffer counts down the three best goals, moments and performances each week from Matildas and beyond...
THREE BEST GOALS

3. Hayley Taylor-Young’s late winning goal
The ACT NPL Women’s League is wrapping up soon and the Round 17 games had qualification for the finals on the line.
Canberra United Academy was down 1-0 for the majority of the game and it seemed their season would be over. However, an equalizing goal in the 86th minute gave the team hope.
Great team passing eventually found Taylor-Young sneaking in behind the defense. She carried the ball into the box and was able to slip the ball into the lower left side of the goal. It gave her team the win and secured their place in the finals.
NPLW FT | 2-1 |
— NPL Capital Football (@officialNPLCF) August 10, 2019
Full-time! They trailed for 86 minutes, before late goals to Tara Cannon and Hayley Taylor-Young stole the win for the @CanberraUnited Academy, who also booked their spot in the finals!#NPLWCF pic.twitter.com/qh8kPv3rp8
2. Hayley Raso forcing the own goal
Technically Hayley Raso did not score this goal, but there is no doubt her presence in front of the net and even her touch on the ball ensured the ball crossed over the goal line.
Raso only played 45 minutes in this game, but she caused enough problems in front of the North Carolina Courage’s net to feel like she was there for 90 minutes.
A ball was sent into the box where Raso was double teamed, but still able to get a quality touch on the ball that was kicked toward goal.
One of her marks blocked Raso’s shot but it bounced onto the other defender who knocked it into the goal. It may have gone down as an own goal on the stat sheet, but Raso and the Thorns celebrated like it was hers.
We pull ahead! #BAONPDX #PORvNC pic.twitter.com/AwJvNRAPlc
— Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) August 11, 2019
1. Alex Chidiac’s quick goal
Alex Chidiac entered the pitch at the start of the second half for Atletico de Madrid Femenino and she wasted no time in showing why she deserves to be there.
Just ten minutes went by for Chidiac to score and give her team the 5-0 scoreline. The initial shot the goalkeeper saved but Chidiac followed the ball and knocked it in.
⏱ 56' | 5-0 | ⚽ Goool de @chidiac10. La australiana se aprovechó de un rechace de la guardameta visitante para marcar el quinto.#AúpaAtleti
— At. Madrid Femenino (@AtletiFemenino) August 7, 2019
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