Wow.
It is not hyperbolic to say that the Matildas’ dramatic victory over Brazil on Friday (AEST) was one of their best ever triumphs.
The comeback was only the second time in Women’s World Cup history that a team had overturned a two-goal deficit to win.
It is also the first time a team has ever beaten Brazil at the tournament after trailing at half-time.
A Marta penalty and a Cristiane strike within the first half looked to have given the Canarinhas an insurmountable lead.
But on the stroke of half-time, Caitlin Foord nabbed a goal.
Chloe Logarzo then put the teams on level pegging in the 58th minute, before a Monica own-goal – beset by controversy over whether Sam Kerr was offside – gave Australia the lead for the first-time.
They fought hard to maintain the advantage, erupting in celebration after the final whistle blew.
This was a victory for the ages.
Here’s what we learned in Montpellier:
The Matildas have not lost their confidence
Two goals down against a team of superstars, having unexpectedly lost the opening game to Italy and with the Alen Stajcic controversy refusing to die – it would have been easy for the Matildas to give up.
They didn’t.
“We didn’t lose our belief,” coach Ante Milicic said afterwards. “If the team lost its belief, they don’t come back from games like that.
“There was a lot at stake today,” he continued. “I think in the end they really answered a few people – not only with the three points but also in the way we went about it.
“We kept on believing in our style and our principles. It was really an Australian performance to be proud of.”
Captain Kerr had some fighting words to deliver after the victory.
“There was a lot of critics talking about us, but we’re back – so suck on that one,” Kerr quipped.
“That’s outside noise, we don’t listen to the haters,” she continued.
“Look at that performance to come back from the deep. I love these girls, they’re something else.”
More VAR controversy?
The video referee was called upon several times throughout the match, to mixed effect.
Most controversially, Monica’s own-goal was initially flagged for a Sam Kerr offside – the Perth Glory striker was ahead of the Brazilian defensive line when the lofted pass left her Matildas teammate.
But the VAR deemed that Kerr had not interfered with play – pursuant to rule 11 of the laws of the game – and therefore the goal was allowed.
Brazil’s coach Vadao was surprisingly balanced in his appraisal, despite the evident unhappiness of several of his players with the referee.
“We know that there was a potential offside – and it seemed to me that the athlete was at a distance that would not be in the way, not an obstacle for our athlete who scored the own goal,” Vadao reflected.
“So I think it was fair.”
Logarzo shines as the superwoman
The Washington Spirit and Sydney FC midfielder won player of the game for a superb and energetic performance, which also saw her net the second goal.
“It is an unbelievable feeling for me to score any goal, but at a World Cup its honestly a dream come true,” Chloe Logarzo said immediately after the match.
Logarzo’s goal celebration was a tribute to Laura Alleway, who was forced out of the squad on the eve of the tournament through injury.
“[Laura] sings ‘superwoman’ to me before I play – that’s her forte, I am tone deaf,” she admitted.
“She sits right next to me and does it every game, so it was really hard for me to lose her,” Logarzo continued. “She sang to me down the phone so I listened to it before we go out.
“I know it’s so cheesy.”
Is this Brazil team past its prime?
The Brazilian line-up on Friday was enough to strike fear into the hearts of any opposition.
To name just two:
Marta – five time FIFA player of the year. Formiga – the first player ever, male or female, to play at seven World Cups.
But both players are reaching the end of their careers, and the Brazil team noticeably dipped when each was substituted at half-time.
That momentum swing helped the Matildas re-enter the game and find two quick goals.
“When I noticed that Marta and Formiga were off the field – I wouldn’t say that was a positive for us, but maybe for the Brazilian team when two big players with such a presence are off the field, I’m not sure how that affected their mentality," Milicic commented.
Brazil remain dangerous, and showed in patches in Montpellier why they were once one of the best teams in the world.
But after ending their nine-game losing streak against Jamaica, they’re now returning to the loss column against the Aussies.
Advantage Australia, as Jamaica beckons
The Matildas’ Group C campaign draws to a close on Tuesday evening in Grenoble (5am Wednesday AEST – LIVE, free and in HD on SBS).
While the exact permutations will depend on the result of Jamaica’s clash with Italy on Saturday, if Australia win in Grenoble they are all-but guaranteed a top two finish in the group.
“We’ve got to focus on Jamaica first,” Kerr said after the match.
“We’re not gonna get too far ahead of ourselves but we showed that, that we can come back from 2-0 down against Brazil and they’re a great team, so hopefully a lot.”
Milicic admitted that the bulk of his preparation and analysis had been on the first two matches.
“Our main focus was the first game for Italy – we put a lot of effort into that preparation, and at the same time Brazil,” he said.
“That was no disrespect – we knew [for Jamaica] that we would have two World Cup games to go off plus their past games.
“As always we will go through our analysis, work through opposition strengths and weaknesses, and come up with a game plan that suits our playing style.”
Australia have the benefit of an extra day’s recovery, and after the exertions of Friday they may need all the rest they can get before a vital finale to Group C.
Kieran Pender is covering the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup for The World Game. Follow him on Twitter: @KieranPender.
