The Matildas have suffered a humiliating seven-goal defeat to Spain at the Estadio Nuevo Colombino.
The Australians entered their first international meeting at No. 7 in the standings with several of the most experienced players in their squad seated, in what turned out to be an experiment that went wrong.
Midfielder Katrina Gorry almost scored the first goal of the match when she let it fly from outside the area, hitting the crossbar.
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Courtney Nevin looks down after Australia’s seven-goal defeat. (Getty)
Matildas’ new lineup kept things respectable during the first half, just 1-0 at the break after a wonderful blow from Aitana Bonmati in the 43rd minute overtook Teagan Micah’s outstretched arm.
But Spain increased the intensity in the second half, accumulating six goals, including three in the space of 12 minutes.
As the list of hosts’ scorers grew rapidly, any hope that the Matildas would make an impressive comeback disappeared.
The floodgates reopened later with three more goals conceded in the last 10 minutes.
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson had previously promised to give national stars opportunities for the friendly, which he honored with Jamilla Rankin and Taylor Ray making their international debuts.
Former Socceroo and commentator Andy Harper asked why the Matildas made so many team changes with the FIFA World Cup just around the corner.
“A lot of people, devotees of the Matildas … will think,‘ Why this, why now? ’” Harper told Ten.
“That’s the question that’s going to resonate.”
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