The Matildas’ Olympic dreams are over, after Australia were defeated by the United States on Wednesday night in Marseille, before any lingering hopes of quarter-final progression were ended by Canada’s victory over Colombia two hours later.
A solid rear-guard defensive performance from the Australians was undone by goals on either side of half-time from Trinity Rodman and Korbin Albert, while a late goal from Matildas defender Alanna Kennedy proved too little, too late. The US, meanwhile, finish top of the group and will face Japan in Paris on Saturday.
In 34 prior encounters, the Matildas had beaten the US just once – six years ago in Seattle. At the last Olympics, their group-stage encounter ended goalless, before the Americans triumphed over Australia in a frenetic bronze medal match. With a spot in the quarter-final on the line for the Matildas, it was imperative they defied history at the Stade Vélodrome.
The Americans started sharply, putting the Australian back-line under immediate pressure – although a yellow card to Samantha Coffey in just the third minute means the midfielder will miss the quarter-final. The United States had an early opportunity as a shot was spilled by Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, although scrambling defence resulted in a clearance.
That encounter foreshadowed the major battle of the first-half: the American attacking lineup against the Australian custodian, last year nicknamed “Minister of Defence”. Arnold was in fine form, variously blocking a powerful drive from Rodman following a dangerous break, punching away a long-range effort from Crystal Dunn and showing quick wits to fend a Lindsey Horan back-post header into the crossbar and away.
Following a torrid defensive display against Zambia, where the Matildas conceded five goals and needed last-minute heroics from Michelle Heyman to save their blushes, this was a markedly improved showing. The Matildas were compact and harried the Americans, putting 11 women behind the ball for much of the first half. Although it led to mismatched possession statistics – the United States had 72% of the ball at the break – the defensive formation was largely effective.
Until, in the 44th minute, the Matildas came unstuck. An out-swinging corner met the head of Sophia Smith, who headed it towards a busy six-yard box. The header was going wide, but 22-year-old Rodman poked it past a stunned Arnold. Australia’s rear-guard effort had been undone by a lock-picking effort in traffic.
Or had it? Just as the restart was imminent, French referee François Letexier paused the match to consult a sideline official. Letexier indicated to both managers that the goal would stand, incensing Matildas boss Tony Gustavsson who received a yellow card for his frustrations. Letexier returned to the centre-circle, only to again walk back to the sideline and fiddle with a head-set, seemingly experiencing technical difficulties.
At long last, Letexier decided to consult the video assistant referee screen, before promptly deciding that whatever had caused the moment to be brought to his attention – possibly whether an offside American player was impacting with play – did not warrant further consideration. It was a farcical moment, but the goal stood and the Americans entered the break ahead.
The Matildas began the second half in a more spirited fashion, before Gustavsson rang the changes – bringing super-substitute Heyman and veteran Emily van Egmond into the fray. The Australians needed an equaliser to book a spot in the Olympic quarter-finals, and the changes signalled attacking intent from Gustavsson.
But Australia’s search for a goal left space for the US to exploit, which they did to devastating effect in the 77th minute, Korbin Albert pouncing on a misplaced clearance to dispatch the ball into the top corner from 25 yards out.
But the second goal failed to break Australian hearts, and they pressed on – knowing that goal difference may be relevant to their progression to the next round. At the beginning of injury time the Matildas’ efforts were finally rewarded, as central defender Alanna Kennedy connected with a flick-on from Heyman to beat American goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.
But matters of goal difference would ultimately be rendered irrelevant when Canada beat Colombia in the late game on Wednesday, ensuring the North Americans progress to face Spain in Lyon on Saturday at the expense of the Matildas. Canada’s qualification for the quarter-finals is all the more remarkable given they were docked six points for spying on opening round opponents New Zealand with a drone.
The loss therefore consigns the Matildas to a group-stage exit at Paris 2024, the team’s worst tournament result during the Gustavsson era. It also marks the beginning of the end of a golden generation of Matildas, with a number of players expected to retire between now and the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup.
