Gifts the Matildas gave us will linger for the nation

In the second half, necessity became the mother of invention, desperation a co-parent. The Matildas took their turn on the ball, But England would not be shaken. For seven minutes, the scores were level. Australia’s goal was no more than a distant idea until Kerr, beating two defenders and then the goalkeeper from 30 metres, turned into a stunning fact.

Now weariness told. Neither of two perhaps jaded defenders nor goalkeeper Arnold were decisive enough when tracking a speculative ball out…