West Aussie McKenna ends 17-year wait and scores on her Matildas debut
Leticia McKenna became the first West Australian to make her debut for the Australian National Women's Team in 17 years on Saturday - and she marked the occasion by scoring her maiden international goal.
The 23-year-old Football West Academy player and Cockburn City junior came off the bench for the Matildas against Malawi in the opening FIFA Series 2026 match in Kenya. Then in the fourth minute of stoppage time, McKenna netted the fifth goal in a convincing 5-0 win.
McKenna is the first WA player to debut for the Matildas since superstar Sam Kerr in 2009. So it was extra special that Kerr was also on the scoresheet, scoring the second.
Emily van Egmond, Alex Chidiac and Holly McNamara got the others.
McKenna became CommBank Matilda #243 when she came off the bench in the 78th minute.
Head Coach Joe Montemurro named a Starting XI with a mix of familiar and fresh faces. Chidiac was a notable inclusion in midfield after not seeing the pitch during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026™.
Australia found their scoring boots early. Van Egmond found space after a long ball in behind, and managed to get the decisive touch to open the scoring. It was her 33rd international goal.
The Matildas continued to dominate possession and chances in the first half, but struggled to execute the final pass. They also had to be wary of Malawi’s speed in transition, which provided a test for Rule and Heatley at the back.
They would get their second in the 41st minute. Caitlin Foord found space on the right-hand side of the penalty area after a well-constructed passing sequence. Her cross made its way to Kerr, who made no mistake from close range.
Malawi came close to scoring with one of the last moves of the half. They had a set-piece opportunity in a dangerous area. The ball fell to Vanessa Chipikula, but keeper MacKenzie Arnold provided a wonderful save at close range to keep the clean sheet and send the team into the sheds with a two-goal advantage.
The second half continued in much the same way as the first, with Australia the team on top. There was one change at the break, though, with Remy Siemsen replacing Kerr.
Malawi continued to show that they had threats up top, forcing a save from Arnold in the 52nd minute. Two more saves came six minutes later, with Alanna Kennedy and Amy Sayer replacing van Egmond and Clare Wheeler.
It was Australia who would score their third before long. Chidiac scored her first goal in national team colours since 2023 with a long-range effort that found its way past the goalkeeper. It was just reward for the midfielder after a positive performance.
McNamara and Jamilla Rankin were introduced in the 66th minute, replacing Kaitlyn Torpey and Foord.
The 78th minute saw a very special moment when McKenna replaced Chidiac in midfield.
Two of the substitutes, McNamara and Rankin, would combine for Australia’s fourth. Rankin made a great overlapping run, receiving a wall pass from Siemsen, and found McNamara at the back post. The A-League Women’s golden boot was never going to miss from there and scored her second international goal.
On debut, McKenna scored the team’s fifth to complete the team’s five-star performance. She was played through on goal and, touching it around the defender, tucked it into the bottom of the corner. It was a wonderful moment from the player from Perth.
The Matildas will play the final of the FIFA Series against the winner of India and Kenya later this week.
Match Summary
Australia: 5 (van Egmond 5', Kerr 41', Chidiac 60', McNamara 86', McKenna 90+4')
Malawi: 0
Australia: 1. Mackenzie Arnold (GK), 2. Courtney Nevin, 3. Winonah Heatley, 6. Clare Wheeler (17. Amy Sayer 58'), 8. Kaitlyn Torpey (5. Jamilla Rankin 66'), 9. Caitlin Foord (25. Holly McNamara 66'), 10. Emily van Egmond (14. Alanna Kennedy 58'), 13. Alex Chidiac (19. Leticia McKenna 78'), 16. Hayley Raso, 20. Sam Kerr (26. Remy Siemsen 45'), 24. Charlize Rule
Unused substitutes: 4. Jessika Nash , 11. Isabel Gomez, 12. Chloe Lincoln (GK), 18. Morgan Aquino (GK),
Malawi: 1. Mercy Sikelo (GK) (23. Esther Maulidi (GK) 68'), 4. Madise Chimwemwe, 6. Rose Kabzere, 9. Sabinah Thom (8. Tendai Sani 72'), 10. Sarah Mulimbika (7. Deborah Henry 45'), 13. Vanessa Chipikula (19. Chisomo Banda 72'), 15. Leticia Chinyamula, 17. Faith Chinzimu, 18. Ireen Khumalo, 21. Rose Alufandika, 22. Bernadetta Mkandawire
Unused substitutes: 2. Olivia Phikani, 3. Doreen Dickson, 5. Vitumbiko Mkandawire, 12. Madyina Nguluwe, 14. Maggie Chavula, 16. Yamikani Kawonga (GK), 20. Lyna James
CommBank Matildas vs Winner Match Two
Date: Wednesday 15 April 2026/Thursday 16 April 2026 AEST
Kick-off: 5.30pm local/12.30am AEST
Venue: Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi
TV Broadcast: All CommBank Matildas matches will be broadcast exclusively on Paramount+