Australia loses its mind over Matildas’ wild Olympics win

Australia rode a rollercoaster of emotions as the Matildas came back from the brink in one of the wildest wins of the Tokyo Olympics.

Goalkeeper Teagan Micah became a national hero and Sam Kerr came to the rescue yet again as the Matildas won a wild quarter-final 4-3 to send Great Britain crashing out of the Olympics.

A botched clearance midway through the second half that gifted the Brits a goal looked like it may sink Australia, who opened the scoring via an Alanna Kennedy header but conceded twice to go down 2-1. Enter captain Kerr.

The 27-year-old was left alone with two much space in the box and after chesting a ball to ground, took her time to unleash with her right foot and bury the equaliser in the 89th minute, sending the game into extra time.

Hearts dropped when the Brits were awarded a controversial penalty in the first half of the added period. But Micah guessed the right way and parried the ball to her left to keep the Matildas in the hunt.

The ball soon travelled up the other end of the field and 18-year-old Mary Fowler’s shot from outside the area took a deflection and ended up in the top corner, giving Australia a 3-2 lead. Kerr then registered her double as she headed home superbly in the second half of extra time, extending the advantage to 4-2 and going level with Lisa De Vanna as the most prolific goalscorer in Matildas history, with 47 from 97 ganes.

The Olympic dream is still alive.

Just as Aussie fans were starting to pop the champagne corks, Great Britain scored with five minutes remaining through Ellie White, who bagged her second goal to ensure folks watching on from Down Under would be forced to endure a nervous wait.

But the Matildas held on and made history by advancing to the semi-finals of an Olympics for the first time, where they will play Sweden — who they lost to in the group stages.

“I can’t explain how proud I am to be part of this team and lead this team out,” Kerr told Channel 7 after full-time. “We have been through so much as a team.

“I haven’t seen these girls for two years and we come out here and beat teams that we haven’t played for so long. We have kids out there. Mary is 18. I’m proud of everyone. It is a team effort.

“We feel the love from home. We are doing everything to make you guys proud. We felt it today.

“Let’s go the mighty Aussies!”

Who else but Sam Kerr.

Australia reacts to Olympic heart-stopper

The phrase “it’s coming home” — a reference to England winning its first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup — was being thrown around everywhere earlier this month when the men’s team qualified for the final of the European Championships before losing to Italy.

But as plenty pointed out on Twitter after the British women’s team had its heart broken on Friday night: “It’s never coming home.”

The BBC got roasted for celebrating too early when Great Britain was up 2-1 heading into the final 10 minutes.

SBS host Michael Tomalaris joked the British public broadcaster gave its side the “kiss the death”.

Fellow TV presenter Mary Gearin replied: “This aged well.”

You love to see it 😂

Go @TheMatildas 🌟

Never count an Aussie out 💪🏻#OlympicGames#GBRvAUSpic.twitter.com/OrUDbdsGu6

— Rose Jackson (@RoseBJackson) July 30, 2021

Former football writer Ray Gatt tweeted: “Unbelievable. Kerr take a bow, Micah take three/four/five bows …. or as many as you like.”

Football presenter Michelle Escobar wrote: “What an unbelievable match, so much fight from the Aussies.”

David Weiner added: “Incredible seeing all of Australia swept up by (football) tonight, losing it over @TheMatildas. Absolutely love to see it.”

Journalist Nat Edwards said: “Sweet baby Jesus. What a win.”

Former Socceroo Craig Foster tweeted: “Awesome contest. Incredible drama. Bravo to both teams.”

Arvind Hickman wrote on social media: “This is the greatest Matildas result I have seen. It’s incredible how this group has grown through the tournament so early into a new coaching regime.”

How good.