The Matildas have shaken off some wasteful finishing to thump Malawi 5-0 in their Fifa Series opener in Kenya.

Captain Sam Kerr and veteran Emily van Egmond each scored in the first half as Australia controlled the tempo but took time to put away the world No 153. Alex Chidiac impressed in a return to the midfield, after not being called off the bench at all during the Asian Cup campaign last month, and added to Australia’s lead after the break alongside Holly McNamara. Debutant Leticia McKenna completed the rout with a goal deep into stoppage time.

Van Egmond celebrated becoming the most capped Matildas player in history in style when getting on to the end of a free kick to open the scoring in the 5th minute. Kerr doubled the lead when netting from a Caitlin Foord cross in the 41st minute, though Australia might have been well clear of Malawi at that stage if not for a lack of composure in front of goal.

Coach Joe Montemurro rang the changes at the break and through the second half, with the fresh lineup bringing more energy and invention to the game. Chidiac put the result all but beyond doubt with a slice of individual brilliance and a rocket into the net in the 60th minute, while McNamara latched on to a Jamilla Rankin cross in the 86th.

The Matildas complete the Fifa Series with a match against Kenya after the hosts defeated India, with kickoff on Thursday 16 April at 12.30am AEST.

And here is cool, calm McKenna looking like she’s scoring Matildas goal number 10 or 20, not 1.

McNamara’s goal was everything the Matildas were trying and failing to do in the first half:

Australia had 64% possession and eight shots on target to Malawi’s five. Malawi looked really good in some moments but struggled to translate their individual skills into cohesion up front.

The Matildas finish off Malawi with some fresh bursts of energy and nice linking play. McKenna scoring her first Matildas goal in her first match and showing composure under pressure when not all her teammates were able to today.

Raso pounces on a loose pass and sends a ball through the Malawi line to the on-running McKenna. She takes a touch at the edge of the area before shooting hard on her right past the keeper for a goal on debut.

90 + 2 mins: Malawi’s corner flies close to the goal but over everyone. Arnold leisurely retrieves the ball for the goalkick. Sayer lets Raso lose in the middle and she towards the left wing, then passes straight into the Malawi defender.

90 mins: Malawi try to make the post of their possession in the final minutes but can’t seem to make more of their powerful runs through the middle. Rule makes a dodgy pass on the edge of the defensive area though and Malawi pounce, the ball going out for a Malawi corner.

Raso runs across the centre and passes through to Siemsen on the left. Rankin makes an overlapping run to collect the ball from Siemsen before sending a low cross into McNamara in the six-yard box to hammer into the net.

85 mins: McKenna links up McNamara with a nice foward pass, she charges through the area before cutting back to Siemsen. She can’t get to the ball but Raso then sends it over the cross bar.

83 mins: Raso hits the touchline and cuts into the area from the right, her pass goes straight to the goalkeeper though who is ready. Malawi probe forward twice, both times drawing Arnold out to collect then clear.

80 mins: McKenna makes her first touches with a nice one-two with Siemsen in the area. She is blocked after receiving the second pass though. There’s a pause now with a Malawi player dealing with some cramping it seems.

78 mins: Quick drink break again. And there’s going to be an international debut for Leticia McKenna, she has come on for Chidiac.

76 mins: Raso can’t quite get on to the end of long ball in and Heatley misfires on the rebound. Then there is a huge chance. Sayer crosses in from the right and McNamara can’t get to it but the deflection goes through to Siemsen in front of an open goal. She fires into the crossbar and the ball is cleared. Malawi counter straight away testing the Matildas pace, the solo effort from Henry ends with her shot going wide.

72 mins: Malawi make some substitutions. Thom and Chikupila are coming off and Sani and Banda coming on. They inject some energy instantly as Malawi enter the area and fire off a couple of shots eventually going out for a corner. Australia clear the ball and Arnold ends up with a goalkick.

70 mins: The Matildas corner is taken short and the resulting cross in cleared away by Malawi. The action finally leaves the right corner as the Matildas switch play to the left through Rankin before moving back over the right and unleashing Raso, who is offside.

69 mins: Malawi are switching goalkeepers, Sikelo coming off for Maulidi. Australia have a free kick near the right corner post. They go short to Chidiac who turns and shoots, missing to the right of the near post.

67 mins: Malawi make a threatening counterattack through the centre of midfield. The final shot doesn’t have enough power behind it and is collected easily by Arnold at the near post.

65 mins: Torpey and Siemsen work the ball between them in the right corner but can’t get through the defenders. More changes now. Torpey and Foord are coming off for McNamara and Rankin.

63 mins: A Malawi player holds on to Foord a little too long on the left sideline, drawing a free kick. Nevin fires in a cross which meets Siemsen on the six-yard box and her header goes out past the far post.

Chidiac with some Chidiac magic! Oh how we needed that. She moves straight through the centre of midfield, taking her time on the ball as she pushes all the way to the edge of the area. Touches the ball to her left and slots it past the goalkeeper. Brilliant individual goal.

58 mins: The Matildas are making some more changes. Wheeler and Van Egmond are coming off. Sayer and Kennedy are coming on. Sayer’s fresh legs are straight into the action.

56 mins: Malawi make a move forward but lose momentum with a back pass and the Matildas flood back. Siemsen puts a ball through for Raso to run on to but she can’t reach it before it rolls over for a goal kick.

54 mins: The Matildas collect a Malawi goalkick and hold the ball at halfway. Foord cuts through Malawi plays across the field before going one touch too far and losing the ball. Malawi clears the ball which Torpey brings under control again.

52 mins: Nevin loses the ball at the halfway line. Malawi send a long shot Arnold’s way and she jumps to save it right on the goalline.

50 mins: Foord is brought down on the edge of the area resulting in a free kick. One inch further and it would be a penalty. Van Egmond takes a shot and it’s on target but palmed away by the goalkeeper. There’s a scramble in the area before the ball finds it way out and Australia build from the back again.

48 mins: Siemsen gets in on the action by giving away a free kick. Malawi rush forward frantically after the kick is taken but can’t get the ball under control and Arnold takes the goal kick.

46 mins: Raso has an early chance as she dribbles into the area only for a brilliant tackle from Malawi to cut her run short, the keeper able to stop the ball going out for a corner.

Peeeeeeep! Malawi are making an attacking change too. Mulimbika off for Henry.

OK Kerr is off and Remy Siemsen is coming on. That’s great, now get Foord and Van Egmond off and inject some energy with the youngsters on the bench.

And the second from Kerr:

Here’s the first goal:

That’s the first half in Nairobi and I would think the Matildas will be disappointed with only two goals from their many chances. Malawi were excellent in defence, in closing down Australia’s passes, tackling hard and pressing high to catch them offside. They also benefited from some poor first touches from Kerr and Foord in particular.

45 + 3 mins: A huge chance for Malawi with a free kick in the final third. It looks like Wheeler blocks Arnold’s view as the ball travels towards the near post and it ricochets off Arnold. She blocks the next shot and then stops the final attempt right on the goalline. Torpey surges forward at the other end, crossing in low to Foord who can’t get on to it in time and touches it wide of the far post.

45 mins: Raso bursts forward with Australia on the counterattack and is brought down from behind. The free kick finds Foord who passes across to Kerr in the centre but the Australian forwards have all pushed too far and the flag goes up.

43 mins: Foord has an opportunity on the left now. She quickly gets a shot off from distance but the Malawi goalkeeper has surged off her line to meet it and does well to block the effort.