Yahoo Sports The rise of Kyra Cooney-Cross: 50th Matildas cap and first goal celebrated
Kyra Cooney-Cross marked her 50th appearance for Australia in style, scoring a stunning long-range strike in a 2-1 victory against Germany earlier this week.
Since her senior debut, she has enjoyed a meteoric rise through the ranks of Australian football to become a mainstay in the Matildas’ midfield. Let’s take a look back through her career so far.
At only 14 years of age, Cooney-Cross received her first national team call-up before representing her country at numerous youth levels. The Australian superstar’s standout performances for Melbourne City inevitably caught the eye of the Matildas’ coach Tony Gustavsson.
She was on great form, scoring six goals and providing four assists in 14 appearances throughout the 2020/21 A-League Women’s season.
Rising into the spotlight
Cooney-Cross is an extremely versatile player, with the ability to impress in both attacking and defensive roles. Her ability to break the lines of play makes her an invaluable asset for both club and country. The young Matilda is adept at breaking down low blocks, which sets her apart from other midfielders of her calibre.
In 2022, Cooney-Cross transferred to Hammarby IF in the Damallsvenskan, a league renowned for nurturing raw talents. Throughout her time at Hammarby, the Australian’s defensive work rate and physicality greatly improved, adding yet more strings to her bow.
The 2023 Women’s World Cup instantly propelled Cooney-Cross into the spotlight. She emerged as a dependable player for Gustavsson, starting all seven of Australia’s matches. The young midfielder put in a series of stellar performances on home soil and played a key part in her side’s historic run, capturing the hearts of the nation in the process.
Her exceptional form attracted attention from many top European clubs including the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Lyon. Cooney-Cross opted for a move to North London and joined Arsenal for a record transfer fee. This exhibits the Gunners’ intent to snatch up the young starlet, who will play a pivotal role in their future plans.
Watch: Kyra Cooney-Cross scores maiden Matildas goal in scorching fashion
What a HIT! Take a bow, @kyracooneyx 😮💨🌶️
pic.twitter.com/73lLHAjDjp— Her Football Hub (@HerFootballHub) October 28, 2024
What does the future hold for Kyra Cooney-Cross?
The 22-year-old represented her country at the prestigious 2024 Paris Olympics and started all three of Australia’s group stage games. In an 11-goal thriller against Zambia, Cooney-Cross provided a vital assist. She utilised her outstanding vision to float pinpoint cross into the area, which was headed home by Hayley Raso.
The valuable experience gained by Cooney-Cross at these major tournaments will greatly benefit her overall development.
Following her debut, she was instantly labelled by fans as a star for the future of the Australian national team. It looks as though that time has come now, as Cooney-Cross is an indispensable player for the Matildas.
The youngster’s phenomenal talent means that her future looks set to be even brighter as she will undoubtedly play a significant role in the Matildas’ future success.
