'Brilliant': Kyra Cooney-Cross' 'special' long-range goal punctuates Matildas' hammering of Football Ferns

Kyra Cooney-Cross delivered one of the goals of the year for the Matildas in their 5-0 thumping of New Zealand in front of a packed house in Gosford on Friday night.

Some moments mirrored the Matildas' previous 3-0 loss to the Lionesses in Derby, where they struggled to contain England's attack.

Crucially, the roles were reversed on Friday night, with Australia firmly in control and making their opponents pay with a flurry of goals in the second half, after leading 2-0 at half time.

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The Matildas delivered a stunning double strike after the break, with Ellie Carpenter and Cooney-Cross scoring back-to-back goals within a minute.

Cooney Cross' finish was sublime as she started her run from the centre circle, dribbled for a few metres and then drilled a right-footed shot from about 35 metres out, beating the goalkeeper to the top right-hand corner.

The goal was only Cooney-Cross' second ever for Australia and lit up the home crowd, extending the lead to 4-0.

"That is special. She did this for Australia not long ago. This is brilliant, she is pure football," said Andy Harper in commentary.

Defender Alanna Kennedy was absent from the line-up, serving a suspension after receiving a red card in last month's match.

Superstar striker Sam Kerr also started on the bench.

Attacking midfielder Amy Sayer was the clear choice to replace Kerr, and the selection paid dividends.

The Matildas enjoyed a positive start, maintaining a high defensive line and aggressively pushing up the pitch.

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The early pressure from Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso soon paid off when Sayer secured the lead in the 13th minute.

Katrina Gorry delivered a perfectly weighted ball that sliced between the New Zealand defenders and found Sayer, who calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net from distance for the opening goal.

Moments later, the Matildas doubled their advantage through Raso and went into the break two goals up.

Australia took greater control of possession, settling the pace of the game in the second 45 minutes.

Emily Van Egmond delivered a precise ball to Foord directly in front of goal, forcing a redeeming save from Ferns' keeper Anna Leat.

The threat was ultimately quelled as Kate Taylor defended the follow-up long enough to clear the danger.

Opposing defender CJ Bott fouled Raso, resulting in a brief delay while Raso received treatment on the pitch.

After New Zealand made three substitutions to bolster their attack, Australia responded by replacing their entire front line.

Kaitlyn Torpey, Holly McNamara, and Michelle Heyman came on, replacing Raso, Sayer and Courtney Nevin.

The Ferns made further changes before the Matildas introduced Tameka Yallop, Clare Wheeler and Foord for Emily Van Egmond, Cooney-Cross and Winonah Heatley.

Opposing defender Claudia Bunge received the match's only yellow card for shoving McNamara.

In added time, Gorry secured the host's fifth goal, finishing a strong move initiated by Wheeler.

"It's all coming apart rather unfortunately for New Zealand," Andy Harper said in commentary for Paramount+.

Australia earned a late penalty kick, but Leat proved crucial, making an excellent save to deny Steph Catley from the spot.

The two teams will meet again in Adelaide on Tuesday evening. The rematch will serve as the Matildas' final friendly before they host the 2026 Asian Cup.