Three Reign FC Players Start for Australia in Comeback Victory Over Brazil

Australia won its second match of the Women’s World Cup Thursday, scoring three unanswered goals to complete a 3-2 comeback. Reign FC’s Lydia Williams, Steph Catley and Elise Kellond-Knight all started and played 90 minutes in the match.

Kellond-Knight, making her first start of the tournament, was deployed as a left back by Australia head coach Ante Milicic, while Catley was pushed inside as a centerback. Kellond-Knight wound up fouling Leticia Santos inside the penalty area in the 25th minute, teeing up a penalty that was converted by Marta past Williams to give Brazil the lead.

Cristiane added to Brazil’s advantage in the 38th minute, leaping to meet a cross from Debinha and heading it in at the back post.

Australia pulled a goal back in first-half stoppage time after Caitlin Foord slid to meet a looping flick-on header from Chloe Logarzo to cut the deficit in half heading into the locker room.

Logarzo added a goal of her own in the 58th minute, tucking a bouncing shot from long range to the far side net after a promising run from Sam Kerr froze Brazilian keeper Barbara.

Australia completed the comeback in the 66th minute, when a cross bound for an offside Kerr was headed in by Monica for an own goal. The Video Assistant Referee encouraged referee Esther Staubli to take a second look at the play, but it was determined that Kerr did not interfere with Monica’s header and the goal was allowed to stand.

The win was just the second time in Women’s World Cup history that a team down by two goals came back to win the match, with Sweden having beaten Germany 3-2 back in 1995.

Australia sits in third place in Group C through two matches. They will play Jamaica on Tuesday, June 18 at 12:00 p.m. PT as the Matildas seek to qualify to the knockout rounds.