The curtains fell on the FIFA Series 2026 in spectacular fashion on Wednesday night, as the world-class Australia Matildas proved too clinical for Kenya’s Harambee Starlets, securing a 2-0 victory to lift the trophy at a packed Nyayo National Stadium.
While the Kenyan faithful hoped for a historic upset, the night belonged to the Australians, who used their tactical superiority and World Cup experience to weather an aggressive Kenyan start.
The Starlets, buoyed by the home crowd, looked threatening early on through Tereza Engesha, but the breakthrough came for the visitors in the 25th minute. Following a corner, the legendary Sam Kerr pounced on a loose ball at the back post to slide home her 75th international goal.
Kenya nearly equalized before the break when Fasila Adhiambo rattled the woodwork, but the Matildas doubled their lead in the 54th minute.
Clare Wheeler displayed sublime footwork, dancing past three Kenyan defenders before firing a precise finish to seal the 2-0 win.
India beat Malawi 3-2
Earlier in the evening, the third-place playoff delivered five goals in a seesaw battle between India’s Blue Tigresses and the Scorchers of Malawi.
India took the lead via Astam Oraon, but Malawi fought back twice through Khumalo Ireen (a stunning 42nd-minute free-kick) and Henry Deborah.
However, the decisive blow came in the 84th minute when substitute Priyadharshini Selladurai found the bottom corner to secure the bronze for India.
Despite the loss, the Starlets’ ability to compete with a top-five world-ranked side like Australia suggests that the gap between East African football and the global elite is slowly narrowing.
With Malawi also showing immense grit in their narrow loss to India, the CECAFA and COSAFA regions have plenty of positives to carry forward into the 2026 international calendar.
