Matildas claim first Paris 2024 ™ victory in 11-goal thriller against ...

The Matildas have staged a nail-biting second-half comeback to defeat Zambia 6-5 in a pulsating match at the Stade de Nice.

Michelle Heyman came off the bench to score the 90th-minute match-winner in an 11-goal thriller, giving Australia the crucial three points in Group B.

Coach Tony Gustavsson made one change from the team that played Germany, with Emily van Egmond replacing Cortnee Vine in the starting lineup.  

The opening minute of the match demonstrated the action-packed, end-to-end football that would be on display with Zambia captain Barbra Banda unleashing a long-range strike to open the scoring just two minutes from kick-off.

Five minutes later Australia was level from a set piece.  Defender Alanna Kennedy rose high to nod home a powerful header from the cross of captain Steph Catley.  

Hellen Chanda had a look at goal not long after but it was through Bay FC forward Rachel Kundananji that the Copper Queens once again pulled ahead, Kundananji finishing a strong run with a low and hard strike.  

The electric pace of the match continued minutes later when Zambia doubled their lead with Banda’s double. Taking control of a loose ball from a corner, the Orlando Pride sharpshooter struck low on the edge of the area.  

Three minutes later it was the Matildas' turn to hit back as another well-floated corner was met by Hayley Raso at the back post with the winger guiding it home to halve the deficit.  

Raso sprung Caitlin Foord in the 43rd minute as Australia looked to pull one back.  Foord’s effort resulted in a brilliant one-on-one stop from the Zambian keeper Ngambo Musole.

In additional time, Banda added to her tournament scoring record when a clearance was deflected onto her boot to record her third Olympic hat-trick, Zambia up 4-2 at half-time.

Australia went close to cutting down the lead once again in the 52nd minute with Mary Fowler hitting both the post and crossbar following a 25+ yard shot from near the sideline.  

Three minutes later a Kundanaji header extended the Copper Queens’ lead as she guided home a floated back post cross from Banda.  

The Matildas made three substitutions in the 57th minute with Michelle Heyman, Kaitlyn Torpey and Clare Wheeler entering the contest and it paid immediate dividends.  

Pressure from Michelle in the goalmouth forced an own goal from Musole as the pressure of the game continued to build.

Australia looked to have added another again with the pressure of Heyman producing an opportunity with Caitlin Foord. While she guided into an empty net, VAR deemed a foul on the goalkeeper to bring back the goal.  

However, minutes later the Matildas did have their fourth when a free kick from around the penalty area was struck sweetly from Steph.

In the 78th minute, Caitlin was brought down in the box and VAR adjudged a penalty which captain Steph coolly despatched to level the score at 5-all.

Playing her first Olympics since Rio 2016, Michelle secured the thrilling win for Australia, sending home a great ball from Steph with just minutes to go.