Overview
- Sam Kerr decided the semifinal with a 58th‑minute finish from a tight angle after Caitlin Foord opened the scoring and Zhang Linyan equalised from the spot.
- Steph Catley returned from concussion to start, and Kyra Cooney‑Cross earned her first start of the tournament as Joe Montemurro tweaked his XI.
- Emily van Egmond became the Matildas’ most‑capped player with her 170th appearance after coming on in second‑half stoppage time.
- China, led by former Matildas coach Ante Milicic and missing suspended forward Wang Shuang, exited despite out‑shooting Australia 14–8 in front of 35,170 fans.
- With all four semifinalists already qualified, Australia now prepares for Saturday’s final in Sydney and the 2027 Women’s World Cup berth is confirmed.