'We’ll never leave a player behind': How Alleway inspired Matildas' classic World Cup comeback against Brazil

One of the inspirations behind the Matildas’ miracle in Montpellier wasn’t on the pitch. She was up in the stands of the Stade De La Masson watching on.

Defender Laura Alleway, 29, was a late withdrawal from the Matildas’ 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup squad due to a foot injury.

It was a scenario that hit the Matildas squad hard, especially midfielder Chloe Logarzo.

Logarzo is one of Alleway’s closest friends in the dressing room, where a singalong of Alicia Keys’ Superwoman is a pre-match ritual of the duo.


Logarzo had ‘Alleway 5’ written on her wrist as a tribute to her injured mate and then went out against Brazil and put on a performance that sparked Australia’s thrilling come-from-behind win in the early hours of Friday morning.

The 24-year-old midfielder set-up Caitlin Foord’s goal which started the fightback, before getting on the score sheet herself as the Matildas stormed home to win 3-2 and re-ignite their World Cup tilt.

LOGARZO: 'That's the Australian mentality I guess. We like a fight'
SOCIAL MEDIA REACTS: 'Inspirational, gutsy and all class'
MATCH REPORT: Foord and Logarzo spark comeback as Matildas stun Brazil

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And after finding the back of the net, Logarzo went with the ‘Superwoman' celebration, standing tall with hands on hips and head proud.

“My goal celebration was for Laura Alleway – I hope she really likes it,” Logarzo told www.matildas.com.au

“She always there with us, she’s [written] on my wrist. We’ll never leave a player behind.”

With a goal and an assist, Chloe Logarzo was a worthy player of the match
Chloe Logarzo put in a player of the match performance in honour of her injured mate Laura Alleway

Matildas' skipper Sam Kerr added: “It’s an amazing feeling to look up there [and see Alleway in the stands].

"We’ve got Lozzie’s [Alleway’s] jersey hanging in the locker room.

WATCH: Ante Milicic's full post-match press conference after the Brazil game 
WE'RE BACK: Captain Sam Kerr pays tribute to amazing fightback
RELIVE: All the action as it happened in Montpellier in our match day live blog

"There’s so many people we’re doing it for, you know. There’s people who have helped us along the way, people who have done so much to have us here.

"To do for it people like Lozzie – it’s heartbreaking [for her] missing out – is an amazing feeling. We’ll have [her] in the back of our minds all tournament.”

World Cup France 2019™ – Group C – Australia Matches

Jamaica v Australia
Date: Wednesday, 19 June 2019 (AEST)
Venue: Stade des Alpes, Grenoble
Kick-off: 5.00am AEST (9.00pm local time, Tuesday 18 June)

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This article was originally published on the CommBank Matildas website.
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