1. Matildas come from 2-0 down to defeat Brazil in the ‘Miracle of Montpellier’

After a shock loss to Italy in the first group match of France 2019, the Matildas were under significant pressure going into their next game against Brazil.

Questions were being asked – had the team been over-hyped? Had the dramatic coaching changes only months prior to the tournament negatively affected the squad?

The Matildas had significant periods of dominance in the first half, but were unable to capitalize and found themselves 2-0 down after a penalty from Marta and a header from Christiane.

Australian fans watching around the world would have been forgiven for fearing the worst, however, Caitlin Foord gave them a glimmer of hope right before half time. A flick-on at the near post from Chloe Logarzo found Foord sliding in on the goal line, who scored her first-ever World Cup goal to get the Matildas back in the game.

A goal from Logarzo in the 57th minute drew the Matildas level, with her long-range drive finding the bottom corner after two defenders and the goalkeeper were deceived by Sam Kerr’s forward run. Aussie fans dared to believe.

Less than 10 minutes later and Sam Kerr again played a part in a pivotal moment. After worrying the Brazilian defenders all day with her clever movement, Kerr found herself between two markers as a speculative diagonal ball from Emily Van Egmond was played in. Nervous defender Monica could only head back into her own goal with the goalkeeper no chance. 

The Aussies celebrated - but the flag was up! Kerr had been ruled offside. An excruciatingly long VAR delay followed, with the goal finally awarded and the Matildas taking a 3-2 lead. Nerves of steel in the last period of the game gave the girls the victory, not least from 18-year-old Matildas debutant Karly Roestbakken who was subbed on in the 94th minute. 

It was an incredible and gutsy win that brought the Matildas World Cup campaign back from the brink. Australia were the first team to score against Brazil in the group stage in four World Cups, and only the second team in women’s World Cup history to come from 2-0 down to win.

Kerr’s “suck on that one” post-game message to the team’s critics was a reflection on the pressure the team had absorbed and their desire to prove the doubters wrong.

The game will live long in the memory of every Matildas fan, whether they watched in the stands in Montpellier or in their living rooms back in Australia in the middle of the night.