2026 FIFA Series: Australia whitewash Malawi to book slot in final

Australia showed their might in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA Series Kenya edition by cruising to a comfortable 5-0 victory over Malawi in an encounter played on Saturday, 11 April at the Nyayo National Stadium.

Download our Mozzart Sport app for more news

The match set the pace for the inaugural global friendly series that is also being staged in three different nations across the globe: the Ivory Coast, Brazil and Thailand.

Australia were favourites heading into the match as they are ranked 15th globally, while Malawi are a distant 153rd.

TACTICAL ANALYSIS: How efficient Tusker shut down Sharks to reach Mozzart Bet Cup quarters

Malawi, who have qualified for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) were using the match as part of their preparations for the continental tourney.

Australia began the match on a high, asserting their superiority over Malawi and opened the scores in the fifth minute through Leicester City midfielder Emily van Egmond, who connected well with a Courtney Nevin pass.

The Matildas continued to dominate the game and were seeking a second goal, but they could not find Chelsea star Sam Kerr with the right pass by the 20th minute.

Australia had a chance to double the lead in the 23rd minute when Rule Charlize rose high to meet a Van Egmond corner, but her header went over the bar.

Australia were back at it in the 28th minute when Torpey Kaitlin, on a quick transition, dribbled to the byline before bringing a cross that was well saved by Mercy Sikelo in the Malawi goal with Kerr waiting to pounce.

The Australian captain then wasted a chance in the 30th minute when she was fed a beautiful cross by Alex Chidiac, but poorly connected with her attempt going wide.

Malawi had a chance to equalise in the 35th minute, but Ireen Khumalo’s free kick went directly to Arnold McKenzie, who made a comfortable save.

Australia thought they had doubled the lead in the 39th minute when Hayley Raso found the back of the net, but their celebrations were cut short by the offside flag.

Australia's persistence then paid off in the 40th minute when Kerr, on a solo run, expertly placed the past Sikelo to double the scores

Arsenal striker Foord Caitlin then wasted a chance to get on the scoresheet as she failed to score on a one-on-one with Sikelo in the 43rd minute.

Kerr thought she had scored her second of the day, but her 45th-minute goal was ruled out for offside in the build-up.

Malawi had a rare chance in the second minute of the first half added time when Faith Chinzimu got to the end of a loose ball in a goalmouth melee from a corner, but her header was weak and was well collected by the goalkeeper.

There was still time for a last chance of the half by Australia, but Caitlin once again missed after being put through on goal by a Torpey cross.

Second half

Chelsea forward Kerr was taken off at halftime with Remy Siemsen replacing her as Caitlin picked the armband.

Australia had the first chance of the second half when Sikelo misplaced a pass in the build-up that was picked by Raso, who also delayed to pull the trigger and allowed Madise Chimemwe to recover.

The Matildas scored the third in the hour mark, Alexandra Chidiac benefitting from an Alanna Kennedy cross to kill the hopes of the Malawians.

Malawi survived a scare in the 75th minute when Raso’s attempt was cleared off the line as Henry Deborah, on a solo transition run on the other end of the pitch, shot wide.

Australia would then add a fourth in the 86th minute when Jamila Rankin, on the overlap, laid a cut-back cross to Holy Namara, who was left with the simple task of tapping it into the back of the net.

With five minutes added on, Australia completed the scoring in the fourth minute of added time, Leticia McKenna picking a pass from Raso and unleashing a shot into the back of the net.

With the win, Australia have booked the first slot in the FIFA Series final on Wednesday, 15 April, while Malawi will play in the third-place playoff on the same day.