Michelle Heyman has scored her first international goal in almost eight years to inspire a 3-0 victory over Uzbekistan and drag the Matildas one step closer to a place at the Paris Olympics.
In their first match since superstar skipper Sam Kerr tore her ACL in January, Australia understandably missed one of the world's best strikers at the Milliy Stadium in Tashkent.
The Matildas were scratchy and lacked cohesion, while Emily van Egmond had a horror night up forward, missing one sitter and failing to convert two other chances she would normally bury.
Coach Tony Gustavsson turned to Canberra United star Heyman, 35, to replace van Egmond off the bench in the 65th minute, and the veteran delivered just eight minutes later.
In her first appearance since 2018, Heyman headed home her 21st goal for Australia and her first since netting twice against Zimbabwe at the Rio Olympics on August 9, 2016.
Mary Fowler, who was wonderful in the second half, scored a sublime individual goal in the 84th minute, and Caitlin Foord headed home in the 86th to seal victory.
It means Australia will head into Wednesday's second leg at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium with a crucial 3-0 lead in the tie.
Debutant Kaitlyn Torpey started on the wing, wearing Kerr's number 20 but was hooked for Foord, who was having her game time managed, at half-time.
Australia had 75 per cent of possession in the first half but just four shots and one on target, but they finished with 26 (eight on target).
They should have taken the lead in the 21st minute when Torpey tried to square for van Egmond instead of shooting.
Hayley Raso dragged a first-time strike wide on the half-hour mark, and shortly afterwards van Egmond hooked over the bar.
Just before half-time, van Egmond failed to get a header on target from point-blank range.
In the 54th minute, Fowler curled a wonderful ball behind the Uzbekistan defence and van Egmond inexplicably failed to tap home.
Heyman headed over the bar a minute after coming on, then delivered the lead when she nodded a corner onto the bar before following up with a second header.
Fowler then intercepted a clearance with a wonderful first touch, weaved between defenders and ripped a fantastic long-range strike inside the near post.
Foord found space and turned home a Steph Catley cross to wrap up proceedings.
Check out how all the action unfolded in our live blog below.
Final thoughts
First of all: whew.
That first half was pretty rusty, as expected, but Tony Gustavsson's substitutes gave the Matildas exactly the energy and dynamism they needed to unlock what had been, until then, a very solid Uzbekistan defence.
Michelle Heyman will be absolutely buzzing, scoring her first goal since 2016 upon her return to the national team after a four-year retirement, while Mary Fowler and the excellent Caitlin Foord added goals two and three.
You'd have to think the Canberra striker is a lock to start in the second leg in Melbourne on Wednesday: she provided Australia with a target player, height, power, and important movement to bring other players into the game around her.
Now that they've made it through this chilly first game, the Matildas return home with wind in their sails and a 3-0 advantage, which is exactly what they would have wanted.
Thanks so much for joining me on the blog for tonight's game, and I can't wait to be back here on Wednesday as we see whether the gals can qualify for their third Olympic Games in a row!
See you then!
Full-time: Uzbekistan 0 - 3 Australia
Crowd numbers
Robbie Thompson has said the crowd in Tashkent is just under 2,500 people.
As of today, almost the entirety of Marvel Stadium is sold out for Wednesday's second leg.
The Uzbekistan players won't be ready for noise like that, I reckon.
Permutations
What happens if Tillies win tonight and Uzbekistan wins Wednesday night? Who goes to Paris?
- EveWintergreen
It depends on how much Uzbekistan hypothetically win by.
If Australia finish this game 3-0 winners, Uzbekistan would need to win at least 4-0 in Melbourne on Wednesday to qualify for Paris.
90' Three minutes of time added on
Same, honestly
UZB’s goalie kicking the ball back in the net after the third goal is so real. I would be so frustrated
- Em for Matildas
89' Australia substitution
Ellie Carpenter comes off for Charlie Grant.
Catchy!
The song we sing here, Hey hey Heyman ooohh ahhh, I wanna know if you’ll kick that goal!
- Canberra is cool
Yiew!!!
And again ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️
Mary Fowler
- Vic in Vic
HaHAAAAAA! Heyman + Fowler
- Big Ben
Mary Mary Mary you beaute
- Em for Matildas
Just my luck. I step out to put stuff in the fridge, and the Tillies score a goal. Belated Hooray, anyway!
- SeonaBath
Floodgates open. Thanks Caitlin! ⚽️
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