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A win over World Cup contenders like Spain on Sunday would give the Matildas a big boost as they step up their preparations for the tournament.

After swatting the Czech Republic aside with a 4-0 win to start their Cup of Nations campaign, the Matildas are now bracing for a true test of their World Cup credentials when they take on Spain.

While this tournament is little more than a set of friendlies, the opponents have been handpicked to ground Australia in the rhythm of training, playing and refocusing for their next opponents - the task that awaits them later this year.

The Czechs were meant to mirror Ireland, Australia's first opponents at the World Cup, with the Spanish assuming the role of group heavyweights that Canada will play in July.

Australia face La Roja on Sunday in Parramatta, with work to do - and with a point to prove.

The Matildas were vulnerable at times against the Czechs and only after a rev-up from Sam Kerr did they spark into life to score four second-half goals.

And, one of the darker moments of Tony Gustavsson's tenure came last June when Australia headed to Andalucia and got taught a lesson in a 7-0 defeat by Spain.

Spain were preparing for the Euros and the Matildas sent a depleted squad to cop a hiding in their biggest defeat since a 1997 loss to the USA.

"We are focusing on one game at a time, but Spain is a big game," said winger Cortnee Vine, who was part of that defeat last year.

"They're in contention for winning that World Cup as well so we need to step up our game.

"Last year's loss was a learning curve for our young ones that were there.

"We were missing a lot of older girls with experience so to have them here will be really good."

A victory - albeit against a Spain side that has over a dozen players boycotting because of objections to Jorge Vilda's coaching - would further endorse Gustavsson's long-term approach to the upcoming World Cup.

The Swede has spent the last two years trying to build depth in the national set-up and that's meant he has only three wins from 20 games against teams currently ranked in FIFA's top 20.

Thursday's win was a third-straight clean sheet for the first time in his tenure.

Spain are ranked seventh and warmed up for their meeting with Matildas with a 3-0 win over Jamaica.

"We really want to get that result against Spain," said defender Charlotte Grant.

"I played in that game (the 7-0 loss), a lot's changed since then, we've progressed a lot and we're looking forward to seeing how far we've progressed."