The Matildas have defeated China 2-0 in their final match before the 2024 Olympics campaign in front of a record-breaking 76,798 fans at Accor Stadium.

Supporters farewelled Lydia Williams in emotional scenes as the veteran played in front of her home crowd one last time after 104 Matildas appearances across 19 years, five World Cups and six Asian Cups. Williams was honoured in a pre-game ceremony featuring Evonne Goolagong Cawley.

It was a polished performance from Australia after they only managed a late goal to draw 1-1 in Friday’s series opener in Adelaide.

Australian threatened the Chinese defence early, showing much more intent than the pedestrian performance on Friday.

The Matildas’ first real chance was squandered by Tameka Yallop after China failed to deal with Ellie Carpenter’s dangerous pass.

Hayley Raso, back in the starting line-up after being rested in the first game of the series, was Australia’s biggest attacking threat, testing gloveman Huan Xu on multiple occasions.

China were set up defensively by Ante Milicic, only able to create pot shots from outside the penalty area on rare occasions they managed to advance the ball through midfield.

Raso got up gingerly from a challenge but was able to continue after inquiries from the medical team.

Michelle Heyman, back in the Matildas fold after being snubbed for the World Cup, should have opened the scoring after a cheap turnover on the halfway line. The Canberra United star fended off the challenges of multiple defenders with ease and excellent dribbling, but could only send her strike wide of the post.

In the 44th minute the Accor Stadium gallery rose to their feet to applaud Williams as she was mobbed by teammates before being substituted in her final appearance on home soil, replaced by first-choice keeper Mackenzie Arnold.

The promising first half showing continued after the restart and it didn’t take long for Australia to double their advantage through an unlikely source in 162-cm Clare Wheeler, who had only come on at half-time.

The diminutive Wheeler rose well to meet Steph Catley’s pinpoint set-piece delivery and dispatched a powerful header.

Before long the Matildas had doubled their advantage as Raso rounded Xu and finished into an open net to give Australia a stronghold on the contest.

Gustavsson went to his bench again, bringing on Kaitlyn Torpey in favour of Yallop in the Matildas engine room.

Now completely in control, Gustavsson’s side dominated possession and were rarely troubled except for a shot from distance that Arnold palmed away.

The Matildas held on for a 2-0 victory after a much more encouraging performance in their last hit-out before the campaign to bring home a first-ever Olympics football medal beings next month in Paris.

Emotional farewell for Williams as Matildas make history

Tonight’s match was even more special for Lydia Williams, handed the captain’s armband by Gustavsson for her final appearance in the green and gold jersey on Australian soil. She will be named in Gustavsson’s squad for the Olympic Games when it’s announced in Sydney tomorrow but has potentially played her last minutes for the national team.

Williams was honoured in a pre-game ceremony with a special appearance from seven-time tennis Grand Slam champion Evonne Goolagong Cawley before receiving a heartfelt ovation just before half-time when she was replaced by Mackenzie Arnold.

For the 15h time in a row, the Matildas played in front of a sold-out crowd, with 76,798 filling Accor Stadium to break the previous record, also set at the same venue at last year’s Women’s World Cup. Kick-off times for the Matildas’ group fixtures in Paris will test fans’ commitment, with each match scheduled for a 3am AEST start.