Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson reveals the key to 2-0 victory over England and gives stars a warning

After a dizzying night when they waltzed into the Lionesses’ den, muzzled then tamed them, the World Cup-focused Matildas are being urged to not get carried away.

Nobody was prouder than coach Tony Gustavsson after his injury-stripped side earned the finest win of his two-year reign, defeating European champions England 2-0 at Brentford on a wet, windy night that looked perfectly tailored for the hosts.

After her first loss with the Lionesses following a 30-game unbeaten streak, England coach Sarina Wiegman was quick to acknowledge the Matildas’ pressing, counter-attacking quality, saying she believes they are capable of lifting the World Cup at home.

But Gustavsson was keen to dampen down the significance of the Australian women’s first-ever victory over England.

‘It hasn’t changed my mindset at all,’ he said.

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson was delighted to beat England 2-0 in a friendly – but knows his team can’t afford to get carried away

Sam Kerr pounced on a defensive error to give the Matildas a 1-0 lead against the Lionesses

‘I’ve always believed in this team, players who are this loyal and committed – and I’m so proud to be part of it.

‘But I think it’s very important we don’t get carried away now. We need to stay very, very humble.

‘Like I said after the Scotland game (which the Matildas lost 1-0), sometimes you’re not as bad as people say you are when you lose, but you’re not as good as people say you are when you win either.

‘We had 10 injuries coming into this game and there were a lot of excuses not to perform – but that’s not what this team’s about.

‘Combining their heart with the discipline of the tactical execution, was brilliant – that combination between head and heart is what makes me really proud.

‘We need to stay in that boring, grey-area, middle ground to stay grounded and humble – but we know that on any given day we might not have the best team, but we can beat the best team.’

So no wonder he pointed out that some of the match-ups that looked so ominous on paper – Manchester United centre forward Ella Toone up against Western Sydney Wanderers’ Clare Hunt, for instance – played out quite differently on the sodden grass.

The Matildas became only the second team to stop England scoring in 23 internationals, even though they were without defensive pillars Steph Catley and Alanna Kennedy.

Clare Polkinghorne and Hunt ensured they weren’t missed.

Australia’s Charlotte Grant (second from left) celebrates at fulltime – she also found the back of the net to seal a 2-0 win

England were unbeaten in 30 games before they were stunned by the Matildas (pictured from left, Leah Williamson and Sam Kerr)

Wiegman was in no doubt, though, that with a world-beating Sam Kerr – one goal, one assist and constant threat – leading the way along with a returning Caitlin Foord, Australia, who could meet the Lionesses again in the last-16 of the World Cup, are a team to be reckoned with.

Asked if they could be World Cup winners, the Dutchwoman said: ‘I think yes, they have some ingredients that are really good.

‘They’re a very strong team, even after their injuries. What helped them was that we played a lot on their side of the pitch, and if we lose the ball, there’s space behind our defence and they have some players who are really quick and very good, and they hurt us.

‘They are aggressive, they are tight and they were good with the headers in their own box.

‘There are many teams who could win this World Cup, which makes it very exciting – and I think Australia is one of them.’