As it happened: Late fightback not enough for Matildas

That’s it from me tonight, thank you for tuning into our live coverage of the 2021 Tokyo Olympic’s bronze medal match for the women’s football.

Unfortunately the Matildas couldn’t leave with a medal but here’s hoping they can go at least one better at the 2023 World Cup on home soil. Stay tuned for all our coverage of the Olympics.

Thank you and have a good night.

Sam Kerr became the Matildas’ record goalscorer when she struck her 48th goal for the national team, one more than Lisa De Vanna, in a crazy third-place game in which the USA claimed bronze after a thrilling 4-3 victory.

Tony Gustavsson’s team gave everything and will feel that, against what had hitherto been a disappointing American outfit, this was a missed opportunity to gain Australia’s first soccer medal. It was a game played in frenetic fashion, and it was the teams’ sixth game in just over a fortnight, so exhaustion might have been expected.

What was not expected was the way that the USA took the lead through superstar Megan Rapinoe, who scored direct from a corner kick after eight minutes.

Did she mean it? She certainly put plenty of curve and swerve on the ball, but so rare are such strikes that there always remains an element of fluke about it. Read more.

She may not have led her team to a bronze medal but Sam Kerr leaves Japan with her own slice of history. Her goal against the USA has made her Australia’s all-time leading goal scorer with 48 to her name. She surpasses Lisa De Vanna and is just two away from equalling Tim Cahill’s tally of 50 goals for the Socceroos.

The bronze medal match was yet another example of the potency and potential of Australia’s attack. They created few chances, converted most. Sam Kerr scored once on the counter, hit the post with a header but the biggest positive was the shared scoring load. Caitlin Foord scored her first while Emily Gielnik nabbed a late contender for the goal of the tournament.

Megan Rapinoe celebrates one of her two goals.Credit: Getty Images

Unfortunately, the defeat to the USA also laid bare the problems of their defence. Three howlers were punished by the world’s top-ranked side as the Matildas end their Olympics having conceded 13 goals in six games. It’s a record that undermines any genuine hopes of claiming a medal.

Coach Tony Gustavsson has paid little attention to the defensive woes, hoping a sharper attack will prove a distraction. However, it must now be the biggest area addressed in the two years until the 2023 World Cup on home soil.

The full-time whistle extinguishes the last embers of hope for the Matildas who leave Japan without a medal. That stunning long-range strike from Emily Gielnik provided a way back but it was too little, too late as they succumb to a 4-3 defeat to USA.

Sam Kerr and Becky Sauerbrunn compete for the ball.Credit: Getty Images

It was an admirable and spirited performance from the Australians but in truth, the scoreline maybe flattered them a little bit.

USA were the better team from start to finish and should have scored more of their chances.

The Matildas have a glimmer of hope after a stunning long-range strike from Emily Gielnik keeps their hopes alive.

Emily Gielnik shoots under pressure.Credit: Getty Images

From seemingly nothing, the substitute unleashed a spectacular shot from distance that flew into the top corner. An absolute pearler of a goal, one of the best of the tournament.

90th min: USA 4-3 Australia.

The tempo has dropped in these late minutes as the players are playing through fatigue now. This is their sixth game in 15 days with all of those played in stifling and sapping heat. However, it’s the US that look more likely to score. Their attacking changes have given a bit more life to their forward line and they are throwing everything at a fifth.

They come close to getting that with a square ball across the face of goal but it’s just out of reach of Alex Morgan who’s unmarked in front of an open goal.

86th min: USA 4-2 Australia.

Another nervous moment for the Matildas as Carli Lloyd floats a cross that almost floats into the far post. She’s threatened to score a hat-trick and the Matildas are giving her space.

No hat-trick for Carli Lloyd who scores twice against Australia.Credit: Getty

Unfortunately for Lloyd, however, she won’t have a third tonight. She’s taken off for another star striker, Alex Morgan, who makes her entrance. Hard to say if this is a relief for Australia who no doubt will be happy to see the back of Lloyd but can’t be excited about a fresh Morgan.

79th min: USA 4-2 Australia.

Another change for the Matildas with defender Clare Polkinghorne making way for forward Emily Gielnik. Understandable given the circumstances but one less defender will make for a nervous 20 minutes.

73rd min: USA 4-2 Matildas.

Carli Lloyd saved her best strike for last, firing a powerful left-foot shot from distance that beats the fingertips of Matildas goalkeeper Teagan Micah to trickle into the bottom corner of the net to seal her hat-trick.

However, her celebrations were cut short. An astute linesman spotted the American striker had strayed offside in the build up and keeps the score at 4-2.