Michelle Heyman hits four as Matildas thrash Uzbekistan and book place at Paris Olympics

The Matildas put on a blistering display of attacking football to demolish Uzbekistan 10-0 at Marvel Stadium and confirm a place at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games with an 13-0 aggregate win.

On a steamy night in Melbourne’s docklands, Heyman sizzled on her first start in six years with a first-half display of clinical finishing that gave the returning striker’s hopes of being on the plane to France later this year a huge boost.

After a own goal with just 34 seconds on the clock had given the Matildas the earliest of advantages, Heyman etched her name into coach Tony Gustavsson’s thinking with an astonishing 11-minute hat-trick that gave the home side a 4-0 lead inside the opening 15 minutes of the game.

The result of the tie was in no doubt, but there was no let-up from the Matildas, and goals by Kaitlyn Torpey – in just her second international appearance – Mary Fowler and Caitlin Foord made it 7-0 before Heyman grabbed her fourth just before the break.

It was to be her last contribution as Gustavsson rang the changes at half-time, with Heyman one of four players taken off, and the torrent of goals dried up in the second 45; the sell-out crowd had to wait until the 68th minute before a ninth goal of a dizzying night went in, courtesy of substitute Hayley Raso. Amy Sayer, with her first international goal, competed the rout in stoppage time.

Attention now turns to the Gustavsson’s final squad selection for the Games in Paris, with just 18 spots, rather than 23 at last year’s World Cup, available.

Joey Lynch’s full report to follow.