Kyra Cooney-Cross scored a stunner for Arsenal. Photo: Getty Images.
Matildas star Kyra Cooney-Cross scored an absolute screamer as Arsenal Women beat Charlton Athletic 5-1 in a pre-season friendly on Thursday morning AEST.
The 24-year-old, who has returned to the Women’s Super League side after the passing of her mother, came off the bench at half-time and produced a moment that will live long in the memory when she lashed home into the top corner from outside the box.
“Yes, it was a special moment,” Gunners coach Renée Slegers said.
“That was magic. It was an unbelievable strike, and she’s such a good technical football player.
“But yes, of course it was also a very special moment for her, so I’m really happy for Kyra.”
Teammate Mariona Caldentey explained that she actually missed the goal and had to watch it back: “We just missed it because we were walking after the subs and after the gym, but then we saw it on the iPad and it’s just amazing. She deserved it.
“It was good to win the game, to score a lot of goals. I think it was a good feeling. Of course, it’s just pre-season, so we have things to improve, but I think it was a good night.”
The commentator on Arsenal’s official stream of the match suggested that there may be no bigger cheer this season at their home ground than the one that greeted Cooney-Cross’ strike.
She received a similarly special reception last week when she played her first match in front of fans since returning to the club following her compassionate leave to be with her mum.
This match also featured Charlton’s Australian trio, with Emily van Egmond playing the first half, while both Leah Davidson and Grace Johnston came on at the break to play the second half.
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Matildas have mixed fortunes in Champions League quest
Ellie Carpenter can look forward to joining several fellow Matildas in the Champions League group stage, but Hayley Raso and Jessica Rankin face an uphill task.
Ellie Carpenter’s Chelsea have overcome an early scare to put themselves in a commanding position to reach the UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage.
Carpenter, a two-time winner of the competition with Lyon, set up two goals in a 5-2 third qualifying round first-leg win over Real Sociedad for the London club.
That leaves Carpenter well placed to join Manchester City’s Mary Fowler and Arsenal trio Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross, whose sides enjoyed direct entry to the group stage after finishing in the Women’s Super League top-two places.
However, fellow Matildas Hayley Raso and Jessica Rankin are less likely to make it after their Eintracht Frankfurt team was held 1-1 at home to Paris St Germain. Both began on the bench with Raso coming on after 66 minutes.
Chelsea’s Spanish visitors had stunned them with a seventh-minute opener at Kingsmeadow, but the hosts’ superior quality told with $A1.6m summer signing Melvine Malard scoring twice on her debut.
The French international’s second came from a pinpoint cross by Carpenter, who also provided the assist for Chelsea’s fourth goal, scored by England’s Lauren James, with some fine build-up play.
The second legs are on September 2 (local time).
Matildas Teagan Micah (Lyon) and Wini Heatley (Roma) are also pre-qualified into the group-stage draw which will be made on September 4.