Matildas go down to World No.4 Germany at Paris 2024 opener
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The Matildas were defeated 3-0 by world number four Germany at the Stade de Marseille on Thursday night (local) in their opening match of the Paris 2024 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament.
A first-half goal from Marina Hegering and two second-half efforts from Lea Schüller and Jule Brand saw off the Australian challenge in the south of France.
The starting line-up saw a number of Matildas make their Olympic playing debut, including defender Clare Hunt and forward Cortnee Vine, while Katrina Gorry made her return to the Games after an eight-year absence.
Australia started positive in the opening 10 minutes with both sides taking no time to get into their rhythm. The Matildas pacy attack found their way behind the German defence twice earning two early corners.
Despite the positive start, it was Germany who took the lead through a corner of their own. A floated corner from Giulia Gwinn to the back post was met by the rising Marina Hegering with the central defender nodding home for the opener.
The rest of the half saw a stalemate with the two nations duelling it out but with nothing to show for it, leaving Germany ahead 1-0 at the break.
Following the restart, Australia looked to once again go on the front foot as they probed the German defence through the right side of Ellie Carpenter and Hayley Raso.
Again it was Germany who fired the first warning shot through a long-range Jule Brand effort that drifted wide of Mackenzie’s posts.
On the hour mark Tony Gustavsson made his first moves with midfielder Clare Wheeler and forward Sharn Freier entering the fray and joining the list of players to make their Olympic playing debuts.
As the match progressed, Australia found their feet and drove forward with several waves of attack through Clare Wheeler and Mary Fowler, both just off target in the 60th and 61st minutes.
However, it was a set piece that would undo Australia’s hard work as Lea Schüller capitalised on another well-weighted Gwinn corner to double Germany’s lead in the 64th minute.
On the restart, Sharn found herself on the ball wide on the left but was unable to get a shot away.
Four minutes later Germany struck again with a rapid transition movement resulting in Sarai Linder squaring to Brand for a clinical finish.
Michelle Heyman returned to the Olympic stage for the first time since 2016 when she was substituted into the match alongside Emily van Egmond and another Olympic debutant in defender Kaitlyn Torpey.
Australia will be aiming to bounce back in their second match of Group B when they take on Zambia at the Stade de Nice, Nice at 3am AEST on Monday 29 July 2024 (7pm Sunday 28 July local time).
Australia v ZambiaDate: Sunday 28 July 2024 (local) / Monday 29 July 2024 (AEST)Kick-off: 7.00pm (local) / 3.00am AESTVenue: Stade de Nice, Nice, FranceBroadcast: Channel 9, 9Now & Stan Sport (Australia)
Australia v United StatesDate: Wednesday 31 July 2024 (local) / Thursday 1 August 2024 (AEST)Kick-off: 7.00pm (local) / 3.00am AESTVenue: Stade de Marseille, Marseille, FranceBroadcast: Channel 9, 9Now & Stan Sport (Australia)
