Australia’s Olympic football hopes ended after defeat to USA
The Matildas' Olympic ambitions came to an end on Wednesday
night in Marseille when the United States upset Australia. Two hours later,
Canada's victory over Colombia destroyed any remaining prospects of qualifying
for the quarterfinals.
Trinity Rodman and Korbin Albert's goals on each side of halftime destroyed the
Australians' strong rear-guard defensive effort, and Matildas defender Alanna
Kennedy's late goal proved to be too little, too late. In the meantime, the US
tops the group and will play Japan on Saturday in Paris.
The US had only been defeated by the Matildas once in 34 previous meetings, and that was in Seattle six years ago. They played each other goalless in the group stage of the last Olympics before the Americans beat Australia in a thrilling bronze medal match. The Matildas needed to defy history at the Stade Vélodrome since they were playing for a quarterfinal position.
The Americans got out to a quick start and put immediate pressure on the Australian defense, but Samantha Coffey's yellow card in the third minute means the midfielder will not be playing in the quarterfinal. Mackenzie Arnold, the Matildas goalkeeper, gave the United States an early opportunity, but a stumbling defense forced a clearance.
That match served as a prelude to the main match of the
first half, which pitted the Australian keeper, dubbed the "Minister of
Defence," against the American aggressive squad. Arnold was in excellent
form, deflecting a dangerous breakaway drive from Rodman, punching out a long-range
attempt from Crystal Dunn, and using fast thinking to deflect a back-post
header from Lindsey Horan into the crossbar and out of reach.
This was a much better performance than the Matildas' disastrous defensive
effort against Zambia, where they gave up five goals and needed a last-minute
comeback from Michelle Heyman to keep their blushes intact. For a large portion
of the first half, the Matildas positioned 11 women behind the ball as they
were compact and harassed the Americans. The defensive formation was mainly
successful even though it resulted in unbalanced possession statistics—the
United States possessed 72% of the ball at the half.
Up until the 44th minute, when the Matildas lost their way. Sophia Smith's head met an out-swinging corner and she headed it toward a crowded six-yard box. The 22-year-old Rodman stroked the header past an astounded Arnold even though it was going wide. Australia's attempt to catch up was undermined by a traffic lock-picking operation.
GROUP B SWEEP!!! 🧹#USWNT x @Visa pic.twitter.com/G4IddXKJLV
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 31, 2024
Had it, that is? French referee François Letexier stopped the game to confer with a sideline official just before it was about to resume. Letexier told the two managers that the goal would stand, infuriating Tony Gustavsson, the manager of Matildas, who was sent off with a yellow card. Letexier made his way back to the center circle, but, evidently, due to technological issues, he strolled back to the sidelines and fiddled with a headset.
Letexier finally made the decision to look at the video
assistant referee screen, but he quickly made the decision that whatever had
brought the moment to his attention—possibly the possibility that an offside
American player was interfering with play—did not merit more thought. Even
though it was a ridiculous time, the Americans led the break, and the goal was held.
The Matildas got off to a more energetic start in the second half, but
Gustavsson made a big substitution, inserting veteran Emily van Egmond and super substitute Heyman into the game. The substitutions indicated Gustavsson's
intention to attack, as the Australians required an equalizer to secure a place
in the Olympic quarterfinals.
The US, however, took advantage of the gaps created by
Australia's goal-hunting in the 77th minute, when Korbin Albert pounced on a
misdirected clearance to smash the ball into the upper corner from 25 yards
out.
Even though their chances of moving on to the next round may depend
on goal differential, the Australians persevered despite the second goal
failing to break their hearts. The Matildas' perseverance paid off at the start
of injury time when central defender Alanna Kennedy beat American goalkeeper
Alyssa Naeher after Heyman's flick-on.
However, the fact that Canada defeated Colombia in the late
game on Wednesday would ultimately make goal differential meaningless, as the
North Americans advanced to play Spain in Lyon on Saturday, eliminating the
Matildas. It is especially impressive that Canada made it to the quarterfinals
considering that they lost six points for using a drone to spy on their
opponents from the first round, New Zealand.
As a result, the defeat condemns the Matildas to an elimination from the group
stage in Paris 2024—their worst tournament performance under Gustavsson. It
also signals the beginning of the end for one of the greatest generations of
Matildas, as several players are anticipated to retire before the Women's
Asian Cup in 2026.