Brazil had the flair, the nutmegs and the make-a-defender-fall-on-her-ass moves against Australia.
The Matildas got the 3-2 win.
The Seleçao took a two-goal lead in the first half before Australia stormed back in impressive fashion, scoring three unanswered goals to hand Brazil its first group-stage loss at a Women’s World Cup since 1995.
Australia, the dark horse candidate of many at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, suffered a shock defeat to Italy, making its first finals appearance since 1999, to begin Group C play in France. Australian captain Sam Kerr gave her side an early lead by following up her own saved penalty, but Italy’s Barbara Bonansea scored twice in the second half — including the winner five minutes into stoppage time — to give the Azzurre a dream start.
Sam Kerr’s 2017 was already the stuff of legend, but that legend just grew following a brace against China on Wednesday. Kerr has now scored in five straight games for Australia, equaling a Matildas record set by Sarah Walsh.