Australia beats USA in IFCPF World Cup final

Australia fought to a 6-2 victory over the United States to lift 2024 IFCPF Women’s World Cup in Salou, Spain on Tuesday.

The tournament, hosted by the International Federation of CP Football, is the highest level of competition in cerebral palsy football, and Tuesday’s final was a cumulation of the two-week tournament in northeastern Spain.

Ranked No. 1 in the world, Australia — known as the ParaMatildas — were heavy favorites heading into the game and duly delivered a dominant performance, gaining revenge for the heartbreak of losing the 2022 final to the USA at the same venue.

Cassidy Leake and Kaia Spencer struck first for the Americans and an upset looked to be on the cards with the USA leading 2-1 at half-time.

However, ParaMatildas goalkeeper and captain, Katelyn Smith, delivered a match-winning performance after the break, scoring a hat trick while continually denying the USA attack with her gloves.

The victory represents the first time Australia has lifted a soccer World Cup at any level.