Germany Women 4-2 Australia: Kossler brace

Germany women beat Australia 4-2 in a friendly at the BBBank Wildpark in Karlsruhe on Friday 9 October 2026, with Melissa Kössler scoring twice before half-time. Sam Kerr and Holly McNamara replied for the Matildas, while Camilla Küver and Sjoeke Nüsken added Germany’s later goals. The match offered both teams a demanding test as they prepare for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Kössler’s goals in the 23rd and 30th minutes gave Germany a two-goal advantage, but Kerr’s header in first-half stoppage time kept Australia within reach. The visitors then had an opportunity to draw level after the break before Germany extended their lead again. That sequence is important to the result: the hosts’ strong start did not remove the need to deal with Australian pressure later on.

The first goal followed a passing move that ended with Carlotta Wamser crossing and Franziska Kett heading towards goal. Mackenzie Arnold made the initial save, but Kössler finished the rebound to open her scoring account for Germany. The forward then converted a second chance after Elisa Senß won possession and supplied a through ball, giving the hosts a reward from a different type of attack.

Kossler leads Germany through a changing game

Christian Wück made three changes at half-time, bringing on Marie Müller, Linda Dallmann and debutant Lisa Baum. The alterations made the match useful for evaluating more of the squad, while the narrow lead ensured the newcomers still entered a competitive contest. Germany continued to threaten, but Australia also found chances to test whether the hosts could retain their advantage through the changes.

Clare Wheeler came close to equalising in the 56th minute when her effort after a corner struck the underside of the crossbar. Ena Mahmutovic eventually gathered the ball, preserving Germany’s lead. The incident underlined how much remained at stake while the margin was one: Australia did not need to reverse the whole balance of play to bring the scores level with a single successful attack.

Germany subsequently created opportunities of their own, with Nicole Anyomi hitting the outside of a post and Dallmann unable to convert when facing Arnold. Küver then headed home from a corner in the 83rd minute for her first international goal. That finish restored the two-goal cushion and gave Germany a more secure position entering the final stages, although the scoring was still not complete.

McNamara struck in added time to make it 3-2, briefly reducing the gap again. Nüsken answered almost immediately after another corner to establish the final 4-2 score. The late exchange showed why both teams could find something to examine defensively as well as offensively: Australia kept creating routes back into the contest, but Germany were able to respond before the visitors could turn the late goal into sustained pressure.

What both teams can take towards Brazil 2027

Wück’s reaction combined satisfaction with the win and criticism of the goal conceded just before half-time. He felt that moment had allowed Australia back into the match and helped explain the more balanced second half. His assessment gives the result a useful qualification: scoring four and winning the game still leaves work to do in controlling the periods when an opponent is trying to recover.

Kössler was pleased with her own performance and Germany’s ability to put ideas from their preparation into practice. She also wanted the team to remain more compact and make smarter decisions late in the game. Those comments connect a successful personal evening with a collective task, rather than presenting her two goals as sufficient evidence that every part of Germany’s performance was already in place.

For Australia, Tori Tumeth’s debut from the bench was one of the evening’s individual milestones. Joe Montemurro made six second-half changes, giving less experienced players time against strong international opposition. McNamara’s goal offered another attacking positive. The value of those minutes should be considered alongside the difficulties faced, because a preparation match can help identify what the next group needs as well as show what it already contributes.