Trailing 2-4 at half-time, it seemed all but impossible for Australia to beat Zambia in its second group match.
Enter Michelle Heyman.
Australia coach Tony Gustavsson brought Heyman on in the 57th minute, who was influential immediately, forcing an own goal and bringing the score line to 5-3.
Heyman wasn’t done yet though, and neither was her side in efforts to redeem themselves following a poor opening performance against Germany.
Just two minutes later, she found the back of the net, however that score was overruled by VAR.
Heyman’s confidence didn’t die, and she continued to bring a spark to her side that had been missing in both its Paris 2024 appearances.
Back-to-back goals from captain Steph Catley in the 65th and 77th minute levelled Australia with its opponents in what seemed a difficult task following the first half.
In the 90th minute, it was super-sub Heyman who etched her team over the line with the assistance of Catley to win the match 6-5.
“I really can’t, some days I can’t believe it, I don’t know how many minutes I will play in this tournament, but I love this game and I do it for my country and my family and for Christine (her partner),” she said.
“We try our hardest to bring something home. We knew we could do it, we knew they would get tired which is why I was happy to come on with fresh legs and enjoy the game.
“We were giving it our all and we never gave up.”
The comments reflect the less-than-desirable start to the Matildas’ Olympic campaign who entered with a fair chance of standing on the podium.
In their first group match, they went down to Germany 0-3, in a performace that lacked composure and finesse.
While the win Monday morning was crucial to the Matildas’ Olympics hopes, they’ll need to bring everything they have when they come up against the in form United States on Thursday, 3am AEST.