Women’s Olympic Football: Seven goal thriller as Australia need extra time to defeat Team GB

After a thrilling 4-3 victory over Team GB after the game finished 2-2 in normal time, Australia advanced to their first Olympic semi-finals.

Team GB’s Ellen White scored a hat-trick, but it wasn’t enough after conceding a late equalizer to Sam Kerr and then missing a penalty to take the lead in the first half of extra time.

However, Australia showed resiliency, defending well and capitalizing on openings created by their opponents, but defensive flaws were to be their undoing.

In the first half hour, Team GB hit the crossbar three times, but Australia took the lead when Alanna Kennedy was given a free header from a corner.
The Matildas started the second half aggressively, but it was the struggling team that scored. White leveled the game with a header.

After the Australians failed to clear their lines, the Man City player put GB ahead.
And Great Britain appeared to be on their way to the semi-finals, but their ever-deeper defense cost them, as Sam Kerr was afforded too much space to fire home with a minute remaining, sending the game into extra time.
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Team GB had a great start as they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Nikita Parris, but Teagan Micah comfortably saved Caroline Weir’s poor penalty. The goalkeeper then came up with two more saves in a row to keep her team in the game.
The Matildas then broke fast and restored the lead when Mary Fowler’s long-range shot deflected off Lucy Bronze and into the top corner.

Full Time

Team GB: 3 (White 57, 66, 115)

Australia: 4 (Kennedy 35, Kerr 89, 106, Fowler 103)

Venue: Kashima Stadium, Kashima