Internationals: Mead and Lacasse on the scoresheet

Steph Catley captained Australia and registered an assist in the Matildas' 2-0 win over China in an international friendly.

Along with Kyra Cooney-Cross, Catley played the full 90 minutes in the farewell game to former Gunner, Lydia Williams.

With the score goalless in the second half, our number 7 floated a beautiful free kick into the box and Everton's Clare Wheeler headed home to give the Matildas the lead. Hayley Raso then doubled the scoreline ten minutes later.

Australia had been held to a 1-1 draw by China several days earlier. Catley, Cooney-Cross and Caitlin Foord all featured as second-half substitutes, with Foord exiting the game through injury.

In another pre-Olympic friendly, Cloe Lacasse was on the scoresheet for Canada in a 2-0 victory against Mexico.

Evelyne Viens spotted Lacasse's perfectly timed run and drifted a ball over the top, allowing our forward to beat the keeper comfortably. Her 86th-minute goal tied up the win, after Adriana Leon had opened the scoring ten minutes earlier. 

In the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifiers, Victoria Pelova played the full match for the Netherlands as they beat Finland 1-0. The Dutch remain top of their qualifying group, ahead of Norway, Italy, and Finland. Frida Maanum did not feature for Norway in their 0-0 draw with Italy.

In Spain's 2-0 victory over Denmark, Laia Codina played 56 minutes before withdrawing with an injury. Kathrine Kuhl, meanwhile, was on the subs bench for Denmark. World Cup holders Spain have a perfect record in Euros qualifying so far, winning three games out of three. 

Elsewhere, defending champions England suffered a blow in their Euros qualifying journey with a narrow loss to France. Beth Mead gave the Lionesses the lead at St. James' Park within half an hour. Lauren Hemp's cross trickled past several players in the box before being thumped home by our winger. 

France responded quickly through Elisa De Almeida and doubled down after the break with a winner from Marie-Antoinette Katoto. Leah Williamson captained the side and along with Alessia Russo, played for the full 90 minutes. 

Over in Group A4, Laura Wienroither made her first appearance for Austria since suffering an ACL injury, coming on as an 82nd-minute substitute in a 1-1 draw with Iceland. Manuela Zinsberger also featured in the match and has since left the Austria squad for personal reasons.

Katie McCabe wore the armband for Ireland in their 3-0 defeat against Sweden. Stina Blackstenius, Amanda Ilestedt and Lina Hurtig did not join up with the Swedish squad for this window. 

Emily Fox played the first half for the US Women's National Team as they cruised to a 4-0 win over South Korea in an international friendly.