Heartbreak as Matildas bow out of Paris 2024 Olympic Games
The Matildas were beaten 2-1 by the powerful US Women’s National Team in their final group match of the 2024 Olympic Games.
The Australians needed a win or a draw to guarantee their place in the quarter-finals, following an earlier loss to Germany and the dramatic win over Zambia.
The Matildas faced more heartbreak after the loss, with other results in the notably tough pool not going their way. This means they miss the quarter-finals and their Olympic campaign is over.
Despite the scorching conditions in Marseille, the Australians fought back hard in the second half with strong attacking runs to almost clinch a draw in injury time.
Tony Gustavsson made a number of changes to the starting line-ups from the opening two matches. Kaitlyn Torpey earned her first start of the Olympics as a wingback on the left-hand side.
It was the Americans that started the contest strongly. Trinity Rodman shuffled her way into the penalty area in the 9th minute firing off a shot that was well stopped by Mackenzie Arnold.
Australia fashioned an opening in the 25th minute with some fluid passing, leading to Kaitlyn laying off to Mary Fowler on the edge of the penalty area. Mary released a low and hard strike which just flashed wide of Alyssa Naeher’s far post.
Mackenzie was called into action a number of times with the Matildas goalkeeper standing strong, including with a sharp save off a Crystal Dunn dipping effort in the 38th minute. Less than a minute later she was called on again after a deft touch off a Lindsay Horan glancing header.
In the 4th minute Mackenzie was there again to make a save off another long range Rodman strike. Off the resultant corner the Americans a header back into the penalty area fell to Rodman who turned it home for the opener.
The US Women’s National Team took that 1-0 lead into the break.
Kyra Cooney-Cross made way for Clare Wheeler after the break, with the Novocastrian supplying some fresh legs.
A corner in the 51st minute saw the ball fall to defender Naomi Girma on the edge of the USA penalty area with her strike from distance just flashing wide of the Matildas goal.
A minute later Australia found some rare space in the American’s half with Mary and Caitlin Foord combining to find Hayley Raso. Raso looked up and fired but Naeher claimed the shot calmly.
Match Day Two’s hero Michelle Heyman entered the fray alongside veteran Emily van Egmond. The Matildas turned up the energy and made more frequent entries into the American half. A floated ball in the 64th minute just missed the head of the quick advancing Heyman.
It was the United States who would trouble the scoresheet after a drinks break with a loose ball falling to substitute Korbin Albert on 18 yards. The midfielder struck sweetly to extend the lead to two. Minutes later Albert went close to scoring again but was denied by the post.
The Australians then threw everything at USA in the closing stages, pressing forward with crisper passing and energy.
Steph Catley improvised with a back header that just missed the right post with one minute of regulation time remaining.
There were seven minutes of injury time and the Matildas looked to maximise every second.
Australia hit back in the second minute of injury time, with Alanna scoring off a header cross from Michelle. At 1-2 the Matildas were still a chance to snatch a draw.
Another chance for Alanna came from an Ellie cross, a minute later.
The Matildas kept pressing hard, looking for the equaliser and brought Mackenzie forward for the final cross of the match but they couldn't find the net again.
The results ends the Olympic campaign for the ever-popular Matildas in Paris.
