The CommBank Matildas have produced one of their best performances of the Gustavsson era, capitalising on an electric first-half performance to shock world number seven Spain 3-2 and win match two of the Cup of Nations.
Goals to Cortnee Vine, Clare Polkinghorne and Caitlin Foord ensured that the majority of 17,333 fans at CommBank Stadium in Parramatta went home happy. It is Australia's sixth win in six games that have included the likes of Denmark, Sweden and now Spain.
For the players who were in the squad that toured Spain in June last year, and were defeated 7-0 by the European giants, the result would have felt like redemption.
Tony Gustavsson made two changes to the starting side that defeated Spain on Thursday night. Clare Hunt followed up her first appearance in green and gold with her first start, and Caitlin Foord started up top alongside Sam Kerr. Aivi Luik and Mary Fowler started on the bench.
This game was mooted as a clash of styles - a passing team, in Spain, against a high-pressing CommBank Matildas. The challenge for Gustavsson and his coaching team was going to be putting together a plan that combated the strengths of a side that had defeated the world number 1 USA only a few months ago.
