‘Farcical’: Sam Kerr robbed by ‘horrendous’ call as Matildas denied golden tilt

Sam Kerr and the Matildas were denied a chance to play for a gold medal at the Olympics after an outrageous call by the referee.

Sam Kerr scores a goal which is later disallowed during the Women's Semi-Final match between Australia and Sweden. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

The Matildas have been cruelly denied a chance at an Olympic gold medal after a controversial refereeing decision robbed Sam Kerr of a goal in a 1-0 defeat against Sweden.

The Swedes will play against Canada in the gold medal match on Friday after the Canadians upset the world champion US 1-0 in the first semi.

Australia will play the Americans for bronze on Thursday at 6pm, but will do it without Ellie Carpenter who was red-carded with seconds remaining in the semi-final.

It’s a devastating result for Australia in its first final four appearance at a major world competition, and there is sure to be further questioning of the call that ruled out Kerr’s 42nd-minute opener.

If you can spot the foul you're a better judge than us.

The star striker brilliantly turned in a strike from a free kick but the goal was ruled out because the referee believed Emily van Egmond had unfairly blocked a Swedish player.

Commentator Brenton Speed said van Egmond’s interference “did not impact the play one little bit”.

“Australia is blowing up,” he said. “And it’s somewhat farcical that goal did not stand.”

Many others questioned why the referee blew his whistle, instead of letting play continue and allowing the video referee to examine if there was a foul in the lead-up.

Just complete referee incompetence that. Modern directive is to NOT blow the whistle and allow a goal to be possibly scored, then allow VAR to analyse.
Horrendous mistake. #Matildas#Tokyo2020#AUSSWE

— Rory Flanagan (@Rory_Flanagan) August 2, 2021

No - that’s a joke #matildas#OlympicGames did not interfere with the goal one bit

— kelly fuller (@kelfuller) August 2, 2021

THEFT #OlympicGames#matildas

— Darren Levin (@darren_levin) August 2, 2021

I dont know about you, but I am still pissed about that goal being disallowed for Sam Kerr!

— Rennae Stubbs OLY (@rennaestubbs) August 2, 2021

Refereeing in the women’s football tournament has been horrendous and sadly it continued tonight. Searched “#itaaus and referee” pre-game to check report card from World Cup 2019 for tonight’s ref. It wasn’t pretty - and so it proved. #shame#AUSvSWE

— Brenton Speed (@BrentonSpeed) August 2, 2021

Continue reading for our minute-by-minute coverage of the game.

Second half: Carpenter out of bronze medal match

95th minute: RED CARD (Ellie Carpenter). Oh that is a huge pouring of salt into the Matildas’ wound as Carpenter brings down a Swedish opponent with seconds on the clock and is sent off, meaning she will be ineligibly to play in the bronze medal game against the US.

93rd minute: Sweden could have ended it there after Teagan Micah leaves the Australian goal to challenge a cross but can’t prevent a neat cut back. The shot is sprayed wide.

90th minute: We’re into five minutes of injury time and the Swedes milk one off the clock after another harsh call against Emily van Egmond. The free kick is played to the corner flag and amounts to nothing.

86th minute: Sam Kerr jumps to challenge the Swedish keeper but can’t quite reach a header that could have tied the match.

80th minute: A long tournament is catching up to Sam Kerr. After finding possession centrally and running at the Swedish defence the opportunity disappears as she wrong-foots herself and gives the ball away. Moments later Caitlin Foord sends a nice low cross into the box but Kerr is on her heels several metres from where she needed to be.

74th minute: The Matildas are pressing now and Steph Catley asks a serious question of the Swedish keeper with a well-struck shot from close range after finding all sorts of space on the left.

73rd minute: Matildas youngster Mary Fowler is off the bench and her X-factor is immediately apparent as she receives the ball near goal, turns well and sends a left-footed shot just wide.

65th minute: The game has settled into a familiar pattern in a high stakes encounter after one team takes a lead. Sweden is maintaining two displined lines of four players, making it hard for the Matildas to make in-roads.

54th minute: Sam Kerr gets her head to the ball inside the 18-yard box but directs it straight to the keeper.

46th minute: SWEDEN GOAL. Heartbreak for Australia as Sweden finds the opener 45 seconds into the second half. Teagan Micah was surprised by a top-spinning shot but managed to tip it off the bar. As her momentum causes her to fall, the ball bounces back into play and Fridolina Rolfo chips it home.

Fridolina Rolfo calmly slots home the opener. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Fridolina Rolfo celebrates after scoring the opener. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

First half: Kerr robbed by ‘horrendous’ call

42nd minute: Controversy as Sam Kerr brilliantly turns in a strike from a free kick but the goal is ruled out because the referee rules Emily van Egmond had unfairly blocked a Swedish player. It’s a cruel blow for the Matildas, who could have taken a shock lead. Commentator Brenton Speed says van Egmond’s interference “did not impact the play one little bit”. “Australia is blowing up,” he said. “And it’s somewhat farcical that goal did not stand.” Many others question why the referee blew his whistle, instead of letting play continue and allowing the video referee to examine if there was a foul in the lead-up.

39th minute: Australia wins a free kick within range for Alanna Kennedy and her well-hit curling shot would have tested the Swedish keeper more if it was a metre further to her right. It’s safely tipped over the bar.

37th minute: A brief moment of opportunity as Sam Kerr chases down a long ball and dinks it past the keeper. But her touch carries her wide and she’s reluctant to have a ping with her left foot from a tight angle. Instead, Kerr attempts to play the ball back to a teammate and it’s intercepted.

31st minute: The Matildas are able to catch their breath after first Hayley Raso and then a Swedish player go down after separate heavy clashes. After play is stopped for several minutes both are OK to resume.

28th minute: In a rare moment of attack Hayley Raso sends in a long cross from the right that Alanna Kennedy rises to meet but is ruled to have fouled the Swedish defender in the process.

Alanna Kennedy rises for a header. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

23rd minute: Matildas dodge a bullet as Fridolina Rolfo fires a cracking left shot that glances off the top of the crossbar. Australia is living dangerously.

17th minute: Alanna Kennedy spots the Swedish keeper off her line and attempts a speculative long-range attempt but it’s well wide of the mark.

12th minute: Caitlin Foord wins a free kick in a decent position. Steph Catley takes it and Sweden panics for a moment, allowing the ball to pass through to Foord at the far post. She attempts to cross the ball back into the box but it is dealt with.

7th minute: It’s Sweden doing the bulk of the attacking and they force a pair of early corners that are dealt with calmly by the Matildas defence.

3rd minute: Aussie keeper Teagan Micha is forced to make an early save and it’s a nervous moment as she produces a slight fumble before clasping the ball.

Pre-match: Shock as US relegated to bronze match

Carli Lloyd looks dejected after the US defeat against Canada. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images)

About two hours out from the 9pm kick-off it was confirmed Australian superstar Sam Kerr would start the match, despite speculation yesterday she could be used off the bench because of concerns over her heavy workload.

The idea of resting our best player from arguably the biggest game in the history of women’s football in our country seemed fanciful, but there were also concerns asking Kerr to lead the line after playing every minute of the tournament to this point is a massive gamble.

Australia progressed to the last four showdown after Kerr scored twice in a 4-3 quarterfinal win against Great Britain.

The teams learned before kick-off that the winner would play Canada for the gold medal after it eliminated the US in the first semi-final after Jessie Fleming converted a 74th minute penalty kick to secure a 1-0 win.

It was Canada’s first win against neighbour in 20 years and relegated the world champions to the bronze medal match.

Australia and Sweden met in the group stage with the Swedes coming away 4-2 winners after Kerr missed a penalty.

Australia made one change to its starting XI from the quarterfinal, replacing Aivi Luik with Chloe Largozo.

Originally published as ‘Farcical’: Sam Kerr robbed by ‘horrendous’ call as Matildas denied golden tilt