Women’s Asian Cup 2026 live updates: Matildas take on North Korea in blockbuster quarterfinal in Perth

26′ Another shot across the bows from North Korea.

The Eastern Azaleas are being given just a little too much time and space in midfield at the moment, and are able to fashion a chance from the right.

Chae Un Yong whips in a tempting cross, which is met by a rising Kim Kyong Yong.

It’s a good header.

And it’s a good save by Mackenzie Arnold, low and down to her left.

24′ There’s a sharp intake of breath around Perth Rectangular Stadium as Clare Hunt goes to head the ball and gets caught by a high foot.

Thankfully, she’s right to continue — there wasn’t a whole lot of contact.

Australia can hardly afford any more concussion worries.

21′ It’s a really clever, quick transition from North Korea, which ends with Kim Kyong Yong darting a ball across the six-yard box.

Ellie Carpenter plays it out for a corner, which is played short and defended well in the end.

19′ The Matildas are enjoying a lot of possession at the moment, content with playing the ball around the back before launching through midfield.

Alanna Kennedy is dropping back between Australia’s central defenders while her side is in possession, allowing the fullbacks to push high on the wings.

16′ This has been a really surprising start to the game from North Korea, showing very little of the extreme aggression they played with against China on Monday.

The Matildas, meanwhile, have done enough to get ahead and have another chance from the corner.

Emily van Egmond lifts in a wonderful, flighted delivery. The goalkeeper claims, but the crowd oohs and aahs as she does – Mary Fowler was unmarked behind her and in prime position for any kind of mishandling.

North Korea has a set piece of their own, but its a poor delivery and doesn’t beat the first player.

The pair, out of this game with concussion, were shown on the big screen, and the crowd gave them a warm cheer.

Catley waved back, which was well received by the fans inside Perth Rectangular Stadium.

Enjoy the game Guy!

Alanna Kennedy is not only a goal scoring magician this tournament, but she’s shown her very best fighting qualities which have been a hallmark of her career.

She loves it when her back is to the wall, which it potentially was before this tournament.

She didn’t start the first game, but got her chance as the no. 6 in the second game, and hasn’t missed a beat since.

Her reinvention from the back to a defensive midfielder has been a Joe Montemurro masterstroke.

9′ Alanna Kennedy, who have you become!?

It’s another sublime strike from Australia’s defensive midfielder.

Sam Kerr does well to pinch the ball back near the touchline, works the ball infield and to the feet of Kennedy.

She looks a bit awkward upon gaining possession, but is authoritative thereafter, hammering the ball into the top of the net from the edge of the area.

It’s the best of her five goals at the tournament thus far.

Jane, the game is exclusive to Network 10.

ABC radio is also calling it live, you can tune in via the dedicated Asian Cup button on ABC Listen.

5′ Wow, that was a big, big chance for North Korea’s star centre-forward, Kim Kyong Yong.

The Eastern Azaleas play some neat stuff on the right hand side, before a very tempting ball is whipped in.

Mackenzie Arnold shapes to come but realises she wouldn’t have gotten there.

Kim rises, makes good contact with her head, and blazes the shot wide.

A pretty composed start here from North Korea.

4′ The North Koreans are given a little bit of space to play the ball around the back, but the Matildas are disciplined in their press, Ellie Carpenter stepping forward and making an intervention.

Alanna Kennedy has an opportunity to spring Australia’s first attack, but overhits her pass and it’s through to the goalkeeper.

Australia once again attempts to play forward quickly, but the ball is well dealt with by a North Korean head.

And it looks to be a perfect evening in the west, a scattering of clouds but the sky is dominated by clear, porcelain blue.

The Matildas, wearing their green and gold home kit, huddle in the middle.

The North Koreans, in red, get us underway.

How’re the nerves, folks?

It’s a completely partisan crowd in Perth Rectangular Stadium, which is making it’s voice heard as the Matildas run to their starting positions.

Ellie Carpenter is already warming up the supporters with some encouragement to be loud.

It’s going to be loud here!

Steely gazes galore as the teams walk out at Perth Rectangular Stadium.

The North Korean national anthem is played first.

The players in red sing along as Aegukka, or Patriotic Song in English, bellows from the stadium speakers.

And there’s some decent projection from the crowd as Advance Australia Fair rings out.

Massive cheers as the anthem draws to a close.

“Come on!” Alanna Kennedy roars as she and her teammates ready themselves for their biggest game in years.

We are not far off now.

You’re right Adam, the North Koreans are a side that will punish mistakes, and will turn things up a notch from what the Matildas faced against South Korea. So much pressure on the team tonight, desperate to finally win another trophy, they won’t want to bow out now.

I’m definitely completely, totally fine and professional.

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The winner of tonight’s match won’t only be through to the semifinals of the 2026 Asian Cup, but will have also secured passaged to next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

However, it won’t all be doom and gloom for tonight’s loser – they will still have the ability to qualify for the 2027 tournament via a playoff against one of the other quarterfinal losers.

And even if they can’t get up in that fixture, their World Cup dreams will still be alive.

The two quarterfinalists that fail to secure direct qualification will be given another chance in the inter-continental play-offs.

So, a minimum of six and a maximum of eight Asian teams will play at next year’s tournament.

I trust that all was crystal clear…

To be fair, looking at the seat map, there are probably only a few hundred seats left.

But after murmurs from some fans that this game should have been moved to the bigger Perth Stadium (60,000 capacity), it seems organisers made the right call to stay put.

In its final group game against China, North Korea provided us with the most sensational moment of the Asian Cup to date.

After VAR handed China a goal in first-half stoppage time, the North Korean players gathered on the touchline, protesting with the officials and refusing to play the remainder of the first period.

Eventually, the half-time whistle blew without the game being restarted.

North Korea has something of a reputation for those types of theatrics, so don’t be surprised if we’re treated to something similar this evening.

With Steph Catley out of this game with concussion, there was a lot of intrigue over who would fill the void at left back.

Coach Joe Montemurro has opted for Kaitlyn Torpey, who is an incredibly versatile player that can make an impact up front, or from the back, and is a composed presence.

Montemurro told Paramount+ she can get the job done.

“We felt from a technical, tactical position, she could really fill that void,” he said.

“She’s played big games before, she knows what it’s all about and we have complete faith in her.”