- Australia beat Chinese Taipei 3-1 on Wednesday evening in Melbourne
- There was heartbreak for one returning Matildas star who was substituted
- It came as she was making her long-awaited return to international football
It was a tough evening for Australia star Chloe Logarzo whose long-awaited injury return was agonisingly cut short on Wednesday.
The Matildas claimed a scrappy 3-1 victory against Chinese Taipei in Melbourne, with Natasha Prior, Sharn Freier and Bryleeh Henry all getting on the scoresheet.
Logarzo, 29, was making her first international appearance in over three years and appeared visibly emotional as Advance Australia Fair rang out at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, turning away from her team-mates as she teared up.
Her last appearance for the Matildas came against Ireland back in 2021 and she has since fought gallantly to bounce back from a string of horrific injuries that included a ruptured ACL and a hip issue to get back to full fitness.
But having helped her side take a 2-0 lead inside the opening 12 minutes of the match Logarzo clashed heads with Taipei’s Chan Pi-Han. The pair had been contesting a header, with Logarzo dropping to the floor.
‘That is a really violent collision there with Chan Pi-Han,’ the commentator said.
Chloe Logarzo heartbreakingly was reduced to tears after her return to international football was cut short early
The 29-year-old (left) was making her return for the Matildas after over three years following a spate of injuries
With Logarzo falling to the ground, the commentator added: ‘She hasn’t really moved from the turf.’
Logarzo slowly rose back to her feet but considering the nature of the head knock, medics were forced to pull Logarzo from the pitch.
In heartbreaking scenes, the Western United star appeared to plead with the team doctors, mouthing the words ‘please, please’, realising that she was being brought off.
‘You can see her there going ‘please, please. But she has to go off. Concussion is a real danger in sport,’ the commentator added.
‘You saw how much she wanted to be out there. It’s been such a torturous road for Chloe Logarzo. She’s really struggling to hold back the tears here.’
After making the walk back to the touchline, Logarzo was seen with her head in hear hands and appeared to heartbreakingly be in tears on the touchline, realising her game was over.
Thankfully, Logarzo appeared to be OK following the incident, with the Western United star joining her team-mates as they walked around the football field at full-time.
Some social media users have offered their sympathies to Logarzo, with one writing: ‘I hate this for Chloe Logarzo.’
The Western United midfielder was emotional before the match, having worked so hard to fight back following the run of injuries
But she was involved in a head collision with Taipei’s Chan Pi-Han and was substituted after 30 minutes
Fans online were devastated for the Matildas star, with one writing: ‘My heart is breaking for Chloe Logarzo’
‘OMG Chloe Logarzo has worked so hard for this, sis I am crying with you,’ another siad.
‘My heart is breaking for Chloe Logarzo, that’s actually devastating.’
Matildas coach Tom Sermanni said after the match that Logazo hadn’t been diagnosed with a concussion yet and had been ‘feeling good’.
He added the midfielder was ‘devastated’ but added: ‘Hopefully she can be in discussions for Saturday’s game.’
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