The Matildas' Olympic dream is over after 2-1 loss to USA in final group game - MASHAHER

The Matilda’s journey at the Paris Olympics has proven to be a short one.

Tony Gustavsson’s players have lost their third, and what has proven to be final, game in the tournament, 2-1 to the United States at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.

The US enjoyed more possession throughout the game, with the Tillies appearing keen to take their chances on the counterattack.

However, those chances never came and it was the US who struck first and at the worst possible moment.

Just when the two teams were looking ready to head into the changing rooms to make their plans for the second half, Trinity Rodman poked the ball home after a US corner kick, giving her team the lead in the 43rd minute.

Referee Francois Letexier reexamined the goal with the help of the VAR, causing frustration on the Australia bench with coach Tony Gustavsson eventually being booked for his outburst.

Despite some doubts, the goal still stood.

More of the same in the second and 2-0

The Tillies hoped to bring the game to their opponents in the second half and become more aggressive as they were in dire need of goals that would keep them in the tournament.

Sadly it was their opponents who looked more likely to score and they did in the 77th minute, when Korbin Albert weighed her options and put the ball past a helpless Mackenzie Arnold.

Sophia Smith of the United States is defended by Ellie Carpenter during the second half of the Women’s group B match during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Velodrome. Source: Getty / John Todd/ISI

With nothing left to lose, Australia came alive in the final minutes and substitute Michelle Heyman laid the ball down for Alanna Kennedy who narrowed the margin of the Tillie’s defeat by a single goal.

But they wanted more and they continued to push forward, with Kennedy and Heyman both missing chances to bring the scores level in the dying minutes of the game.

Other results don’t go our way

Despite their efforts, the Matildas were forced to their second defeat in the tournament, following the 3-0 loss by Germany.

That meant that all their hopes of advancing as one of the two best third-ranked teams lay in the hands of their opponents, with the Tillies needing a win by Colombia in their game against Canada.

Sadly, that never came, with the Canadians winning the match 1-0 to secure second place in their group and advance to the quarterfinals, leaving Tony Gustavsson and his team searching for early flights back home.

Despite the short run, the Matildas will hope to build on this experience as they look on to their next tournaments, such as the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup or the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Source Agencies