A bronze medal is on the line as Australia meets the USA on Thursday evening at 6pm. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary of the Matildas’ final hit out of the Games.
Neither side would have expected to be battling it out for third but for very different reasons.
The Matildas recorded a win against New Zealand, a loss to Sweden, and a scoreless draw with the USA to progress out of the group. It took 120 minutes but Australia defeated Great Britain in the quarter finals before going down 1-0 to Sweden in the semis.
Competing for a medal was beyond even the most optimistic predictions for this team based on their lead in to Tokyo.
The USA’s group stage record was the same as Australia’s with a win against the Kiwis and a loss to the Swedes in addition to the draw. Their quarter-final against the Netherlands went all the way to penalties.
After having the wood on Canada for 20 years, their northern neighbours came up big in the semi-final to send the USA to uncharted territory: a bronze medal match.
Since women’s football was introduced to the Olympics in 1996, the United States have medaled in all but one edition – Rio 2016. Coming in to Tokyo, they hadn’t lost in 44 games. When ‘excellence’ is constant, ‘very good’ feels much worse than it is.
Both sides will be without star players for this match. USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher injured her knee and was subbed out of the semi-final at the half-hour mark.
On the other hand, Tony Gustavsson will have to go about replacing Ellie Carpenter after her red card in the dying seconds of the Sweden clash ruled her out of this game.
The Matildas have only ever beaten the USA once in 30 meetings. They have never looked riper for the picking, but it will take a monumental effort.
Australia has the chance to create some history, bringing home the first ever Olympic football medal down under.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
I am with Trump on this one, hoping the US team lost :stoked:
sheek
Roar Guru
No, I'm fine. I really admire the Matildas. I just can't cop the bleeding, one-eyed, biased supporters. But they're everywhere of course.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
Nice try girls but bad luck, better going next time @ the world cup. Very tired legs out there tonight.
BLACKTOWN
Roar Rookie
U,S A goalie had a Mohawk hilarious Do you want your daughter having purple hair.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Not sure what we were doing there for quite a while, playing out from the back with some extremely dangerous passes, of course one that was straight to an unmarked Raphino in front of goal, bang. We didn't play like that against GB, and the way the US pressed us, we were silly to try it tonight. We looked really good at their end, when we had numbers in front of goal, and were certainly not badly beaten as it looked like it might have been at one stage there. Well done girls, for a very good tournament against tough opponents right through. You're on the right path again. Keep it going.
Grem
Roar Rookie
We certainly were in the group of death - Sweden, USA and Australia all within the top 4. They did well to come 4th and hopefully Gustavvson will have us ready to win a World Cup at home. Imagine the ratings for that.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
Did I say those thing? Having a bad day are we karen?
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
At least the Matildas fought it out to the very end, the scoreline may have flattered us a little, the US looked the much better team. The thing that stands out for me, from this match and across the tournament with the better teams - they have midfielders, and we don't appear to have any, it's like a massive black hole in the middle of the park where the opposition pick up stray balls in space. The US appeared to have at least two midfielders constantly demanding the ball in the middle of the park, circulating it back, forwards and out wide. Do we even have one player doing that?
Marissa Lordanic
Expert
Focus now turns to the final game of the women's football tournament tomorrow with Canada and Sweden battling it out for gold. For Australia, this tournament has shown the good and the not so good of this team. The depth issues which have been an issue for years were exposed but have also started to be worked on with the likes of Fowler and Cooney-Cross getting game time and Nevin finally seeing some minutes. There's still a lot to be excited about, the team knows what needs to be worked and can continue to do so ahead of the next major tournament: the 2022 Asian Cup. While the team and the nation desperately wanted a medal, it wasn't to be today. But Australia is a lot closer to where it wants to be than it was at the start of this tournament.
sheek
Roar Guru
That remark obviously directed at me, but I couldn’t care less. I’m sick of the hippy, hippy, everything’s rosy of one-eyed Oz supporters. By all means support your team, but be realistic. “We wuz robbed against Sweden by the ref”. Like hell we were. They outplayed us. I prefer to live my life in reality. Are the Matildas the 4th best team? On their performance here, that’s as good as they are, not any better.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
Ranked 9th in the world and make the top 4 at the Olympics Nothing wrong with that but there will always be negative people....
Marissa Lordanic
Expert
FT AUS 3 USA 4. It's bronze for the USA, their first bronze to add to their four golds and a silver. The Matildas finish fourth - their best ever result at the Olympics. Australia got close, seriously pushing towards the end but the USA's early dominance was enough to set them up for the win.
Marissa Lordanic
Expert
94' AUS 3 USA 4 Morgan is off with what appears to be an injury. It has chewed up significant time at the end of this game.
Marissa Lordanic
Expert
90′ AUS 3 USA 4 EM GIELNIK GOES ON A RUN, IS COMPLETELY UNCHALLENGED AND SAYS DON’T MIND IF I DO. A stinging shot with Franch no chance to save it! Is it too little too late?
Marissa Lordanic
Expert
87' AUS 2 USA 4 Australian sub. Laura Brock is on for the final time for the Matildas. She's on for Yallop.
Marissa Lordanic
Expert
85' AUS 2 USA 4 Another USA sub. Sonnett now on for Press.
BLACKTOWN
Roar Rookie
Time to sub Kerr she must be gassed
Marissa Lordanic
Expert
80' AUS 2 USA 4 Carli Lloyd with two goals to her name makes way for Alex Morgan.
Marissa Lordanic
Expert
73' AUS 2 USA 4 Polkinghorne off for Gielnik. The defender rushed off, hopefully she is okay.
jamesb
Roar Guru
Australia needs to improve it's depth in the lead up to our home world cup. If the Matildas have a similar squad in two years time, they will get knocked out early.