It was with optimism, yet trepidation that we trammed out to Stade de la Mosson on the outskirts of Montpellier. Earlier that afternoon Australian fans had made an impression on the city as we crowded out the 2 Irish pubs close to the city centre. There were a few Brazilians in sight - but we had made this our town.

Off to the stadium

Once again our Matildas began brightly, playing boldly with a back 3, pinning Brazil in their own half with some creative but not wholly penetrating attacking raids. When we lost the ball there was plenty of space in our defensive half for the Brazilian counterattacks to flourish. In their very first attack they got in behind our defence, but our women were generally snuffing out the mini breaks they were creating.

It was a physical match between teams which have developed quite a rivalry over the past few tournaments, typified by a heavy clash between Caitlin Foord and a defender which left them both flat on the ground. In the 14th minute the evergreen Formiga was carded for an ugly challenge. Tamika Yallop was later felled (hacked down?) in the box and we were convinced that a penalty would result but there had been a hand ball in the earlier play where she had won the ball.

Marta was creating many challenges for Ellie Carpenter as she directed affairs from her left wing position and sometimes more centrally. I had to admit an element of guilty pleasure in watching one of the greats of the world game in her pomp, if not her prime. Gone is the speed that could really terrorise, but the guile, skill and tricks are still very much part of her game.

In the 25th minute there was a melée in our penalty area, a Brazilian took the invitation to dive after a jersey pull – PENALTY. Up stepped Marta who sent Williams the wrong way to convert the chance, a goal at her FIFTH successive World Cup tournament.

Both teams continued at each other with attacking intent, but the next decisive moment came courtesy of a sublime piece of skill from Debinha where she put herself in acres of space in the LS channel. Perfect cross, a little bit of ball watching from Steph Catley and a hungry poacher’s header from Cristiane had Brazil ahead 2-0.

Our World Cup was now all but over. But as they say, hope dies last. We had to cross from the rational to the emotional domain to get out of this.

In the shadows of half time I was thinking we HAVE to score before the break, otherwise there is no way back from here. A beautiful move saw a header cleared off the line but Tamika Yallop hared after the clearance to recover the ball to send in yet another cross. This found the head of the excellent Logarzo who popped it across the face of goal for Caitlin Foord to launch herself at the ball to score her first World Cup goal.

It was the turning point, compounded by the withdrawal of both Marta and Formiga at the half time break.

The second half was an extraordinary display of heart by the Matildas. Nothing pretty to watch but just sheer honest endeavour as they hunted down victory. The two goals came and the indomitable Sam Kerr was instrumental in both without actually touching the ball. In fact, if she had touched the ball NEITHER GOAL WOULD HAVE BEEN SCORED. The first was awarded to Chloe Logarzo whose cross just managed to evade everyone and ended up in the goal. The second was also the consequence of Sam causing panic in the defence with Monica heading the ball into her own net.

No Need for a Fourth Goal

Then followed the most impressive 20 minutes of our tournament so far. We controlled the game to the death, driving the Brazilians nuts with a relentless possession game. There is no need for a 4th goal cause you’re not getting any more. And so it was. 3-2 to our brave, wonderful Matildas. An historic victory, our first over Brazil at this tournament and only the second comeback from 0-2 in tournament history.