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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Kieran Pender at the Stade de Nice

Matildas stay alive after late winner settles chaotic 11-goal Olympic thriller with Zambia

Michelle Heyman of Australia celebrates scoring their sixth goal with Caitlin Foord.
Michelle Heyman hit a late winner to settle a wild Olympic football contest between the Matildas and Zambia in Nice. Photograph: Raquel Cunha/Reuters

The greatest escape? In the history of international football, there have been comebacks. There have been thrillers. And then there was whatever the hell played out between Zambia and Australia in Nice on Sunday night.

The Matildas recovered from a three-goal deficit, a hat-trick from Zambian sensation Barbra Banda and a brace from the most expensive signing in women’s football Racheal Kundananji, to somehow emerge victorious. If the Matildas needed a heart attack to restart their Olympic campaign, they got one – and the three points that might just keep them at Paris 2024 beyond the group stage.

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