Own goal lifts Australia over Brazil, 3-2
Clare Polkinghorne and Australia earned their first victory of the tournament against Group C contender Brazil, 3-2. Polkinghorne was not available for selection today due to hamstring tightness, according to Matildas coach Ante Milicic.
Brazil forward and captain Marta opened the scoring with a penalty kick in the 27th minute. Australian defender Elise Kellond-Knight conceded the penalty for Brazil when her pressure took defender Leticia Santos down to the ground in the box. Brazilian striker Cristiane Rozeira doubled the lead nine minutes later when she headed a ball through a cross into the box from teammate Debinha.
Down 2-0, The Matildas reacted by scoring minutes before the final whistle of the first time. In a cross from Australian midfielder Kirsty Yallop, teammate Chloe Logarzo nodded down a ball that striker Caitlin Foord picked up and tapped into the back of the net.
Australia equalized in the 58th minute when Logarzo found space after taking a touch on the edge of the box before firing her shot low towards the goal. The Matildas took the final lead in the 66th minute when Brazilian defender Monica Alves scored an own goal in an attempt to clear a long serve into the box from Australia.
Polkinghorne and Australia (1-0-1) are back in action at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18 as they face Jamaica (0-0-1) at Stade des Alpes in Grenoble for the group stage finale.
