Coach Alen Stajcic elected to start with Sam Kerr, who hadn’t played since October 2015.

Questions will be asked as to why stars Steph Catley, Lisa De Vanna and Kyah Simon all started on the bench while there were concerns for Chloe Logarzo who limped off at the hour mark.

Just half a minute into the game, a defensive blunder by Alanna Kennedy and captain Claire Polkinghorne saw Christine Sinclair break through and tee up Janine Beckie to make it 1-0.

The Matildas however didn’t looked deflated, and at the 16th minute Elise Kellond-Knight’s through ball to Kerr saw a break to no avail, the striker elected to shoot rather than pass to Michelle Heyman who was free.

Canada were reduced to 10 two minutes later, Shelina Zadorsky was sent off as the last defender to take down Heyman.

The free kick was taken by Kellond-Knight and it nearly resulted in a goal when it struck the crossbar.

The Australians looked dangerous with a number of long balls finding their forwards but the final execution was missing every time.

Five minutes into the second half Katrina Gorry had a fierce strike from long range which forced Steph Labbe to tip it over the bar.

Gorry was needed again moments later on the other end when Sinclair’s cut-back to Diana Matheson looked good, but Gorry was there to clear it.

Despite the dominance by Australia it looked to be undone at the 73rd minute.

Caitlin Foord gave away a contentious penalty for handball, however Lydia Williams came to the rescue saving Beckie’s spot kick.

But with the inspiration the goalkeeper produced it still looked grim for Australia, Jassie Fleming’s shot with 12 minutes remaining slipped through the fingers of Williams, but luckily Laura Alleway was there to clear off the line.

As the Matildas pressed, a counter attacking move started by Fleming managed to find Sinclair, who made it an unlikely 2-0 lead.

Matildas had the possession, but struggled to create chances.

It finished 2-0 at the Arena Corinthians and in three days they return to take on powerhouse Germany with a win now vital if they are to make an impact on the world stage.