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Posted: 2024-11-19 21:45:37

Australia's ParaMatildas have become the first national football side to become world champions, with victory in the final of the IFCPF Women's World Cup.

The ParaMatildas, the world number one ranked side in women's CP Football, came from two goals down to defeat the United States 6-2.

The win avenges the ParaMatildas' defeat in the final of the 2022 World Cup decider.

CP Football is for athletes with cerebral palsy, or an acquired brain injury.

The United States had two goals in the opening six minutes in Salou, Spain, giving the Australians plenty of work to do. 

Goalkeeper and captain Katelyn Smith then led from the front. 

She remained stoic in front of goal, denying the US, while also scoring a hat-trick herself. 

Smith scored two of her goals from inside her own penalty area, while also converting a penalty in the win.

"I think it's exhilarating — we've worked so hard and I think the feelings you can't really put into words at the moment," Smith said.

"It's still a bit of an adrenaline rush, but the feelings are very, very good."

Ten members of the team pose with their gold medals

ParaMatildas celebrate with their gold medals after winning the 2024 IFCPF Women's World Cup. (X: @paramatildas)

The Australians were dominant throughout the tournament, winning every game on the way to the final.

Georgia Beikoff said her team were confident of turning around the early deficit, after coming-from-behind to defeat Ireland 9-2 in the group stage.

"We were 2-1 down at halftime in the last group match so I think we had a lot of confidence in ourselves, but we knew we couldn't drop our heads," Beikoff said.

"We just needed to stick to the game plan, we did, and we came out with a massive win."

Coach Kelly Stirton said the team's final loss two year's ago makes the triumph even more meaningful.

"Every one of those girls deserve it and all the girls back home deserve it as well," Stirton said.

"We've done this for them, we've done this for Australia, and we've done this for Para athletes in Australia as well. You can achieve this anytime."

In the men's tournament, the Pararoos drew 1-all with Japan in their second last game of the tournament.

They will face Thailand on Friday in a play-off for 13th place.

Australia: 6 — Katelyn Smith (17', 30', 33'), Georgia Beikoff (38', 49'), Annmarie de Uriarte (46')

United States: 2 — Cassidy Leake (4'), Kaia Spencer (6')

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