The Matildas’ gutsy 3-2 win over Brazil this morning was as courageous a comeback as we’ve ever seen from an Australian national team.
Re-live the action with The Roar’s live blog.
The whole thing started with an air of familiarity for seasoned football watchers.
There was the 2am wake-up call, the excitement of taking the game to a big-name opponent, then the familiar feeling of crushing disappointment as everything that could possibly go wrong predictably did so for the Matildas.
They appeared to have earned a cast-iron penalty when Tameka Yallop was tripped inside the penalty area on the 20-minute mark, only for the VAR to adjudge the ball to have hit Yallop’s hand in the build-up to the goal.
It looked a somewhat harsh decision in real time but it was hardly the last we’d hear from the VAR.
Barely three minutes later and Elise Kellond-Knight tugged on Leticia Santos’ jersey, allowing the Brazilian defender to go down theatrically inside the box.
If the first penalty decision looked harsh then this one was as soft as it gets, although Kellond-Knight was naïve to lay a hand on Santos in the first place.
Marta dispatched the penalty with all the calmness of a player scoring in her fifth World Cup – and her 16th World Cup goal overall – and the Matildas were up against it.
But if Brazil’s opener was a shock, their second was a stone-cold catastrophe.
With the Matildas threatening to crack the Brazilian defence during a period of concerted pressure, instead it was As Canarinhas who struck again with a devastating counter-attack.
There seemed to be little danger when Tamires received a pass on the sideline, but when she nutmegged Emily Gielnek she opened up space for Debinha in behind and her intelligent run was matched by an ever better cross.
You could argue Steph Catley was flat-footed and should have attacked the ball, but even so Cristiane’s header finished a gloriously constructed goal.
It also demonstrated once again just how vulnerable the Matildas are to passes in behind the fullbacks – particularly when Ellie Carpenter is bombing forward.
Australia’s Ellie Carpenter (AP Photo/Claude Paris)
And that was that. Except it wasn’t.
Caitlin Foord’s lunging volley on the stroke of half-time gave the Matildas hope and saw the Brazilians drop their heads.
But not even the wildest scriptwriter could have dreamed up the drama of the second half.
About the only thing missing from Chloe Logarzo’s all-action display was a goal – or at least it would have been until she unleashed from an acute angle just before the hour mark.
Was it meant to be a cross? Probably.
But with Sam Kerr’s run attracting two defenders, Logarzo’s shot flashed across the face of goal and in at the far post.
At 2-2 Matildas fans could have been forgiven for thinking the worst.
After all, how often have we seen an Australian national team fall victim to a ridiculous piece of misfortune?
But with just under 20 minutes remaining a minor miracle took place. A fortuitous refereeing decision actually went Australia’s way!
The VAR interpretation of Monica’s own goal was obviously that Sam Kerr was not interfering with play when she once again attracted two defenders from Emily van Egmond’s cross.
The video replay showed Kerr starting her run from an offside position but given that she was not technically involved in ball ending up in the back of the net, the goal was awarded.
Correct decision? We’ll take it!
And we’ll take the three points that came Australia’s way while we’re at it.
“There was a lot of critics talking about us but we’re back, so suck on that one!” said Kerr with a laugh after the game.
The dream is on. Australia’s World Cup campaign is not over by a long shot.
And on a morning of unspeakable drama, the Matildas have reminded us all of just why we love this beautiful game.
Voice of Reason
Roar Rookie
The Argentinian goalkeeper in the 1-0 loss to England made several outstanding saves. The Jamaican goalie was good in the first game but suspect in the second. All judging by my 3.09 minutes of highlights anyway.
Voice of Reason
Roar Rookie
Spot on comment in every respect
Voice of Reason
Roar Rookie
Great pedantry - well played!
c
Roar Rookie
certainly is Nothing to do with anything
Post_hoc
Roar Rookie
No, it is actually a slightly different game, almost the same but a few differences, including the hurls.
Punter
Roar Rookie
That would leave 3 teams on 2 wins (so Italy won't rest players), then it would be goal difference between 3 teams.
Brendan
Guest
If Brazil beat Italy (Italy may rest players given they have qualified) and Australia beat Jamaica does it come down to goal difference given both teams are on two wins.
Kangas
Guest
Sam Kerr to Manchester United after the World Cup?
chris
Guest
Fad once they introduced passive offside every decision would have a view of "but were they interfering with play"? The answer is yes they are. A defensive line in itself is disrupted by someone standing around in an offside position. But if you're going to have passive then thats the pandoras box you open. You could see the Swiss ref gesturing that the defender didnt have Sam in her line of view and so she's passive.
Jay Rodda Rams
Roar Rookie
I love you Sam Kerr you are the best! This is your trophy. Go Aussies
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Agree. Their commentary was embarrassing. Very first viewing, it was obvious that there was at least good reason to dismiss an offside call, and why it would happen. But they appeared to be oblivious to the why, right up to the very end.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
It's true that Brazil could not go with Australia the whole 90 min, but it's equally true that they lost a fair bit of class when they made two subs at HT.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Watch it a thousand times it makes no difference. The facts are a player being offside influencing the decisions of defenders has never been considered interfering with play ever. Not in one single case. In the A-league semi final there was a similiar own goal and the only consideration was the player blocking the view of the goalkeeper. The SBS commentators are just dumb and that is the embarassing bit.
Punter
Roar Rookie
You will upset AlexP with these sort of comments Fadida.
Nick Symonds
Guest
"What about the urban sombrero?" - Now that's a sombrero!
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Ph Clearly, Australia was much better than Brazil in the 2nd half, so there is no doubting in my mind that at a minimum we deserved a draw. But that aside, we have to admit that neither of the 2nd half goals came from a shot on goal. You might forgive one, but with two in one half, well you have to ask the question. The other thing is that the ball ended up in the identical part of the net, identical bounce, identical pace on the ball (not very much), and it was well away from the upright. I think it's entirely appropriate to question the keeper's positioning AND her reflexes, i.e. her reaction time was about as good as mine.
Griffo
Roar Guru
And Optus Sport, SBS... :lol:
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Tameka (TButt, I prefer her other name) has been the most consistent performer in the Matildas for some time now. I rate her our best, and expect a goal soon. Raso is another I rate highly, remember she's only a few games back from serious injury. Ellie Carpenter is excellent down the wing, puts in a lovely cross and at 19, improves every tournament but imv needs work on 1v1 encounters. We need to start blooding our young defenders, though it's difficult at a WC we will be forced to if another defender is injured.
Simoc
Guest
I noticed in the game Germany won 1-0 that the goalie wasn't about to put her body on the line. She may, may not have saved the goal and got kicked either way. But that's the price of playing for your country.
Simoc
Guest
Didn't see this game but have to agree. We lost the first game tactically and won the second playing great football apparently. Still if we get past Jamaica anything is possible, but the probability is our style of game won't cut it vs Euro teams.