First half goals from Clare Polkinghorne, Chloe Logarzo and Sam Kerr saw Australia take a 3-1 lead at the break.

Kerr’s 12th goal in seven matches saw her break Sarah Walsh’s Matildas record for scoring in consecutive matches. 

Norway fought back in the second half before Polkinghorne secured a late winner for Australia with the final kick of the match.

The highest ranked nation at the tournament and coming in on a 10 match unbeaten streak, Australia started the match confidently with Katrina Gorry looking to test goalkeeper Ingrid Hjelmseth early but the Norwegian custodian easily claimed her early long range effort.

In the 10th minute Logarzo and Kerr looked to combine but Kerr’s effort was denied by an excellent block by the Norway defence. 

Having survived the early scares, Norway took the lead when Kristine Minde finished off a strong run down the left wing with a low cross which was turned home by Canberra United’s Elise Thorsnes.

Celebrations barely completed, the Matildas hit back quickly with Clare Polkinghorne producing a towering header off an Elise Kellond-Knight inswinging corner to bring the scores level. 

In the 15th minute the action continued with Guro Reiten firing a low travelling shot just past Mackenzie Arnold’s goal. 

From there Australia took control of the match with Kerr firing over from 25 yards in the 17th minute. 

Kerr was again in the action minutes later as she found space in behind the defence to cut back to De Vanna but the Norwegians managed a timely block.

Australia’s pressure finally told in the 24th minute when Hjelmseth fumbled a sliced clearance from Maria Thorisdottir with Logarzo on hand to volley home a simple finish.

Just past the half hour Australia doubled their lead with a well weighted through ball from De Vanna found Kerr.  Kerr made no mistake as she slotted home. 

In the 36th minute Kerr almost claimed a second when the striker attempted to lob Hjelmseth from distance but the keeper scrambled to parry the shot wide.  Minutes later Carpenter then forced another save from Hjelmseth to keep the scoreline 3 – 1 at the break. 

The second half saw Norway start strongly and in the 52nd minute they pulled back a goal with the aid of the elements.

Arnold parried an in-swinging corner onto the crossbar but Lisa-Marie Utland was there to head home from close range to half the deficit. 

The goal gave Norway renewed confidence and they went on the attack. First, another chance for Utland as she headed wide off Thorsnes cross. 

Then Ellie Carpenter lost sight of Guro Reiten before barreling into the winger in the box.  The referee was quick to point to the spot. 

Thorsnes stepped up and coolly converted to bring Norway level on the hour mark. 

Australia looked to re-find their rhythm and the lead when De Vanna and Kerr combined only for the latter to be dispossessed.   

The 77th minute saw Hjelmseth and Kerr resume their battle with the striker surging on goal only to fire her effort straight at the shot stopper. 

Heading into additional time Kerr looked to have given Australia the lead when she put the ball in the back of the net but was ruled offside in a close call. 

Australia’s late persistence was to pay in additional time when Emily van Egmond’s inswinging corner caused chaos in the Norwegian penalty area with Heyman and then Crummer getting onto the corner before Polkinghorne tucked home at the far near post for late winner. 

In the other Group A encounter hosts Portugal defeated China 2-1. 

Australia will next take on Portugal on Saturday, 3 March 2018 kicking off at 2.00am AEDST.

MATCH DETAILS

Australia: 4 (Polkinghorne 13’/90+5’), Logarzo 24’ Kerr 31’)
Norway: 3 (Thorsnes 11’/60’(p), Utland 52’)

Estadio Municipal de Albufeira, Portugal
Wednesday 28 February (Thursday 1 MARCH AEDT)
Kick-Off: 6:30pm local (5:30am AEDT)
 

Australia: 18. Mackenzie ARNOLD (gk), 4. Clare POLKINGHORNE, 6. Chloe LOGARZO, 8. Elise KELLOND-KNIGHT, 10. Emily VAN EGMOND, 11. Lisa DE VANNA (22. Larissa CRUMMER 75’), 13. Tameka BUTT (23. Michelle HEYMAN 88’), 14. Alanna KENNEDY, 19. Katrina GORRY, 20. Sam KERR, 21. Ellie CARPENTER

Unused Substitutes: 1. Lydia WILLIAMS (gk), 2. Caitlin COOPER, 3. Hannah BREWER, 9. Emily CONDON, 15. Rachel LOWE, 17. Alex CHIDIAC

Norway: 1. Ingrid HJELMSETH, 2. Ingrid WOLD, 3. Maria THORISDOTTIR, 7. Elise THORSNES (32. Ingrid RYLAND 85’), 8. Ina GAUSDAL, 10. Caroline GRAHAM HANSEN, 13. Guro REITEN (20. Emilie HAAVI 85’), 17. Kristine MINDE, 19. Ingvild ISAKSEN (11. Ingrid SPORD 66’), 21. Lisa-Marie UTLAND (25. Synne JENSEN 66’), 34. Vilde RISA (33. Ingrid ENGEN 46’)

Unused Substitutes: 4. Stine REINÅS, 6. Maren MJELDE, 9. Isabell HERLOVSEN, 12. Cecilie FISKERSTRAND, 18. Frida MAANUM, 22. Anja SONSTEVOLD, 23. Auora MIKALSEN,

Yellow Cards: Gorry 64’, Wold 80’