So, a goal at either end of the 90 minutes, with plenty of US chances in between to kill off the game, but none taken. The visitors paid the price for that profligacy in the end, as a hefty deflection off Becky Sauerbrunn with just two minutes remaining proved costly.

And that wraps up this year’s competitive international football for both teams. Perhaps not the way the USA wanted, or indeed deserved to end their year, but their inexperienced squad can go home with their heads held high. For the Matildas, the Asian Cup is next, starting in mid-January. They’re not going to meet a team of the quality of this US outfit there, and if Gustavssonian theory is correct, these two games will stand his side in good stead at the tournament in India - and beyond.

Stand by for Emma Kemp’s match report, which will be landing shortly. But from me, it’s goodbye for now.

Tony Gustavsson: “I had all the emotions a human can have tonight. I was happy as well. That never say die attitude... and what an atmosphere.”

Sam Kerr: “It was disappointing to concede in the first few minutess again. It probably wasn’t our best performance but we’re building and we’ll take a tie against the world No 1.

“I could have been better. I was still a bit rusty after bring sick. But it’s not about me tonight.”

It’s a 1-1 draw with the world champions that goes into the record books, but the performance was in truth not great. The defensive problems are still glaringly apparent, a cutting edge up front is still missing and there is much work to be done if the better opposition they face are to be beaten.

Tony Gustavsson said after Saturday’s defeat that he’s not too interested by results, and more the performance. Wonder what his view of this result (and performance) will be?

90+4 mins: There goes the whistle! All over and it ends one apiece in Newcastle.

90+3 mins: That was the correct offside decision by the way, just in case there was any doubt.

90+2 mins: Horan scores! The USA are back in front! No! Offside! The flag is up and her close range volley won’t count! Late drama in Newcastle!

90 mins: Four minutes to be added... there’s still plenty of time for another twist in this tale.

89 mins: There’s an element of redemption about that goal, given Simon missed an absolute sitter in Sydney on Saturday. She might well have just salvaged an unlikely point here.

88 mins: Well, well, well! You wouldn’t have thought that was coming, and there’s a huge element of luck to it as Simon’s strike from the edge of the box takes a big deflection off the recently-introduced Sauerbrunn and bounces past the wrong-footed Murphy, but they’ll take that!

86 mins: Wheeler comes on to replace Yallop for the Matildas, while Sonnett and Sauerbrunn come on for Huerta and Sullivan for the USA.

84 mins: Weaver again gets the wrong side of the Matildas’ backline. This time she does manage to get a shot away, but it’s straight at Williams who makes the save without any fuss.

82 mins: The experienced Kennedy comes to the rescue as Horan’s cross causes some consternation in the Australian box. The veteran takes charge and nips the danger in the bud.

81 mins: The USA make another change now - Sanchez on for Lynn Williams, who has also been excellent.

80 mins: That’s not too nice from Horan on Yallop, and the first yellow card of the night is brandished.

79 mins: It looks like Morgan Weaver is in here but Catley flies back and makes the sliding challenge to end all sliding challenges and end the danger.

78 mins: Horan plays the ball into the feet of Lavelle, with her back to goal. Lavelle controls and turns in one swift movement to fashion a shooting opportunity but her effort isn’t struck as sweetly as she might have hoped and the ball dribbles through to Lydia Williams.

77 mins: Defender Dorsey is sent on on for the excellent Fox to make her international debut as the USA make a third change.

76 mins: Fowler looks to set Kerr free with another cute ball forward, but her captain is flagged offside before she attempts a chipped shot that lands wide of the mark anyway.

75 mins: Oh dear, Van Egmond tries her luck from 25 yards out and it’s not pretty. Her effort lacks power and direction and Murphy remains untroubled.

72 mins: Mewis straight into the action and there’s a big shout for a penalty as Carpenter trips her in the box! But the ref doesn’t want to give it. VAR, if there was VAR here tonight, might have had a different view.

71 mins: And here is that Australian change - Kennedy on for Cooney-Cross, Gielnik on for Raso.

70 mins: Actually, it’s the US who make a double change first as goalscorer Hatch and Perce goe off to be replaced by Weaver and Mewis.

69 mins: Once again, the USA find a way through the Matildas’ defence but again they’re lacking a killer touch as Williams scoops her shot over the bar. You’ve have expected her to at least hit the target there.

68 mins: It’s Alanna Kennedy and Emily Gielnik who are likely about to enter the fray in a double change for Australia.

67 mins: Looks like the Matildas might be making a change soon.

66 mins: Carpenter looks to find Kerr with an early ball upfield, but it’s easily cut out and the US can come away with the ball. Producing a quality final ball continues to be Australia’s problem.

64 mins: Ooh, Williams clips a ball over towards an unmarked Perce but it’s just out of her reach. No matter, Horan picks the ball up and sends it back over to Williams, but her stooping header is over the bar!

63 mins: The crowd noise lifts again as Raso threatens on the right. But again there’s no final ball. Still, she wins a corner - the Matildas’ sixth of the night - which will be taken by Van Egmond.

61 mins: Yallop’s cries for a foul as Perce wrestles her to the ground are audible here. She gets her wish.

60 mins: Ooh, that’s nice by Simon whose backheel sets Yallop free down the Matildas’ left. Yallop’s cross hangs up in the air, but it lacks the kind of pace or whip that would really trouble the American defence.

59 mins: That really was a terrific save from Williams, and she’s again in the action as she claims the resulting US corner. She looks to get a counterattack on the go immediately, but there aren’t many options.

58 mins: Huerta’s throw finds Horan, who in turn finds Lynn Williams. She shoots on target, but is denied by a diving, fingertip save from Lydia Williams!