Somehow Australia and Brazil found themselves matched together for a fourth successive FIFA Women’s World Cup™ at France 2019. Australia came into the tournament on a high, while Brazil had endured an unthinkable nine-match losing streak. Yet it was the Matildas who opened with an unexpected 2-1 loss against Italy, while As Canarinhas collected a swagger-inducing 3-0 win over Jamaica.

Then there were the superstars. All-time great Marta had missed Brazil’s opening match, but could she defy injury to take the field, or would goalscoring hotshot Sam Kerr grab the spotlight after her maiden Women’s World Cup goal a few days earlier?

Another defeat for Australia would imperil their much-hyped campaign. For Brazil, There was also the matter of avenging a Round-of-16 exit at the hands of the Aussies four years earlier in Canada. Brazil, however, had edged their rivals on penalties on home soil to reach the medal-round at the Rio 2016 Olympics. The Matildas followed that up with a four-match winning streak against Brazil, a run which yielded the unlikely figure of 14 in Brazil’s goals-against column.

The sub-plots were numerous, and the stakes were high. But would the contest deliver? It certainly did and then some, becoming an instant Women’s World Cup group-stage classic in the process.

Brazil fired in an 11-minute two-goal salvo delivered from the boot of Marta, and the head of Cristiane – the latter having scored the winner against Australia way back at China 2007. Suddenly the Aussies were staring at the abyss. Only once before had a team won after being two goals down in a Women’s World Cup match.

Then the tide started to turn as Australia crucially pulled a goal back moments before the break. Marta exited at half-time, as did the cool guiding hand of the ageless Formiga. By midway through the second half, the Matildas were somehow back in front. Despite countless further penalty area incursions at either end, a breathless end-to-end contest ended in favour of the Green and Gold by the odd goal in five.

2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup – Group C 13 June Australia 3 (Caitlin Foord 45+1’, Chloe Logarzo 58’, Monica O.G. 66’) Brazil 2 (Marta 27’ pen, Cristiane 38’) Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier

Both sides were littered with big names, most of who had lined up four years earlier when the pair met at Canada 2015. Yet it was one of the few that wasn’t, who ended up being player of the match.

Chloe Logarzo’s journey could barely have contrasted more starkly with most players on the pitch, many of whom boasted a decade or more of international experience. Logarzo was watching the Matildas’ breakthrough 2015 win over Brazil from a bar in Greece. At that point, Logarzo was backpacking around Europe.

Fast forward four years and she scored the equalising goal and provided an assist to play a pivotal role in a crucial win.

“Not at any point did I think we were going to lose that game,” Logarzo told FIFA.com, providing an insight into her indomitable character.

“I think it is the Australian spirit, and (coach) Ante (Milicic) came in (at half-time) and said exactly the same thing. When we have backs to the wall, we come out swinging. The amount of emotion that came out onto that field was incredible.”

Midfielder Logarzo is a coach’s dream. A modest stature belies a massive heart. Despite her metronomic movement in the centre of the park and beyond, Logarzo barely seems to break into a sweat.

"Watching the girls (at Canada 2015) I was almost crying. I can’t even describe (scoring), a dream come true. To do it in front of my friends and family was extra special."