Nathan Cleary sends message to Mary Fowler after Matildas' epic comeback at Paris Olympics

Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary has congratulated his partner and Matildas superstar Mary Fowler after Australia came from behind to defeat Zambia in an 11-goal thriller at the Olympics. The Matildas were able to keep their chances of advancing out of the group stage alive at the Paris Olympics after they staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Zambia 6-5 in Nice.

Australia were desperate for a win in their second group stage game after going down 3-0 to Germany in their opening clash. And the Matildas were facing a strong possibility of an early exit at the Paris Games when Zambia led 5-2.

However, the Matildas produced arguably their greatest ever comeback having scored four goals in 30 minutes to secure a vital three points victory ahead of the clash against the USA. Fowler started as a striker against Zambia, but it was Steph Catley who stole the show with two goals for the Matildas.

Michelle Heyman scored the winner to send the Matildas wild in Nice after a confidence boosting victory. And Fowler has received some encouragement from NRL superstar Cleary back at home with her partner getting up in the early hours of the morning to support the green and gold.

Cleary, who produced his best game of the year in 2024 for the Panthers, posted on social media after the game with the words 'comeback' and a photo of Fowler after the win. The halfback was like the many fanatic Matildas supporters to get up and support the national team in the early hours.

Aussie fans were left stunned at the comeback, which has kept Australia's chances of progressing alive. "A memorable night in Nice ... the Matildas have cooked up their most extraordinary comeback yet," said commentator Brenton Speed on Channel 9.

Aussie football legend Craig Foster wrote on social media: “Craziest game ever. Gutsiest performance. Talk about never say die. Unbelievable.” Heyman told Channel 9 after the match: “We want that medal. We are trying our hardest to bring something home. We knew we could do it. It was going to come. We have it our all, and we never gave up.”

Mary Fowler's classy act for Zambia at Olympics

Fowler was all class after her victory as she was pictured consoling goalkeeper Ngambo Musole. The Zambian No.1 made a brutal mistake for Catley's goal for to make it 4-5 in the 65th minute. Catley attempted to curl a free-kick into the top corner, but only managed to hit straight at Musole.

And after the mistake and conceding six goals, Musole was in tears after the full-time whistle. In a classy move from the 21-year-old, Fowler went up and embraced Musole. While it was a small gesture, it showed Fowler's future ability to lead the team and was a reminder of what the Olympics is all about.

Mary Fowler and Nathan Cleary's romance

Fowler and NRL star boyfriend Cleary have become the 'it' couple of Australian sport since going public with their relationship last year. With Fowler plying her trade for Manchester City in England, she spends large chunks of the year away from Cleary - the champion halfback of the Penrith Panthers.

But with Fowler's club season wrapping in May and Cleary missing 10 weeks of NRL action with a hamstring injury, the couple got to spend around two months together in Australia without any distractions, before she jetted out for Paris.