Editor
Sam Kerr had a stunning first half volley ruled out in controversial circumstances as the Matildas lost 1-0 to Sweden in their Olympic football semifinal to set up a bronze medal playoff against the United States.
Kerr volleyed home a perfectly delivered Steph Cately freekick from wide on the right on 42 minutes but the referee
Melissa Borjas of Honduras blew the whistle before the ball went in the net.
There was no obvious sign of an infringement as the Australians lined up to meet the freekick, but because Borjas blew the whistle so quickly there was no chance for the decision to be reviewed by VAR.
The decision will go down in Matildas history, in the same way that the Socceroos are haunted by a penalty won by Italy’s Fabio Grosso against Lucas Neill in the 2006 World Cup knockout stages.
If I speak, I am in trouble. ????@samkerr1 with a finish, but ruled out by the referee. #7Olympics | #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/BjOsNHItCD
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 2, 2021
The Australians were aghast at the decision and Australian fans were outraged.
The Matildas dominated the half but their sense of injustice was worse one minute into the second half when Sweden took a 1-0 lead through a scrappy strike from Fridolina Rolfo.
‘Wreck it Rolfo’ was also Australia’s nemesis in the group game between the teams won 4-2 by Sweden.
Horribly unlucky. 1 – 0.
Changes nothing for us though.
Let's get it ????#7Olympics | #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/9D08vkx0G0
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 2, 2021
Social media erupted at the decision to disallow Kerr’s goal.
Decision beyond staggering.
— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) August 2, 2021
Shockingly poor officiating to not only disallow a clear #Matildas goal, but refuse to use #VAR to have another look at it. Then to concede a sloppy goal like that just after the break is a massive blow. Time to dig deep & step up now. #AUS #AUSvSWE #Tokyo2020 #Olympics
— Rob Greenwood (@robgreenwood1) August 2, 2021
What happens when refs bosses spend all week teaching refs to look out for minor blocking at set pieces. #reffinghell https://t.co/AbBOi3z9yR
— Brenton Speed (@BrentonSpeed) August 2, 2021
That foul call was rubbish! Trying to rob the matildas of a win ????#AUSvSWE
— Wicked Raven (@OfficialWickedR) August 2, 2021
Look I’m not saying all IKEA outlets should be boycotted if Sweden beats the Matildas but it’s a thought…
— marcus kelson (@marcuskelson) August 2, 2021
Where the block occured has no impact on the result
VAR is flawed but it should be able to overturn howlers like this #AUSvSWE #Matildas #football #Olympics2020 https://t.co/gPS3tIbnU2
— Chris Whelan (@cjwhelan) August 2, 2021
This joke wasn't funny the first time. #Matildas https://t.co/gnMTLemMm8 pic.twitter.com/hrToHMyiG0
— James Silver (@JamesSilver3) August 2, 2021
Although not everyone saw reason for outrage, including football tactics author and reporter Michael Cox of Zonal Marking.
Always amused when a team puts players in an offside position – specifically to block players challenging for the ball – then get annoyed when they get penalised. It was both a foul because of the the block-off, and offside because the block-off makes them active. pic.twitter.com/LFcXWktYX7
— Michael Cox (@Zonal_Marking) August 2, 2021