Australia 3 – 4 United States (Kashima)
Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord played the full 90 minutes for the Matildas against the USWNT in Kashima but were defeated 4-3 in the bronze medal match-up. Lydia Williams was again on the bench. The US took an early lead through Megan Rapinoe, who scored directly from a corner. The lead was shortlived as Caitlin Foord teed up Sam Kerr for the equaliser. The US regained their lead soon after with a fulminating volley from Megan Rapinoe.
Carli Lloyd added goals either side of half-time to seemingly put the tie to bed. Caitlin Foord scored a header to make it 2-4 before a late wonder goal from Emily Gielnik set up a tense finale. USA take the bronze, it is not entirely clear when Foord, Catley and Williams will return to Arsenal but it seems unlikely they will be part of the squad for the Champions League qualifying games in Moscow on August 18th and 21st. Arsenal’s other Olympians return to training later this week.
Vivianne Miedema will certainly finish as top scorer for the tournament with ten goals, with Ellen White, Sam Kerr and Barbra Banda on six. Sweden and Canada will play the gold medal match on Friday and the closest from their squads to Viv’s tally is Stina Blackstenius on three. Arsenal scored a total of 12 goals at the tournament, with Miedema scoring 10 and Iwabuchi and Foord grabbing a goal each.
Viv the 🐐 ! They were so unlucky against the USWNT. I hoped they would go all the way.
Hopefully, they do next time.
Who could have guessed before Olympics that Aussies go the longest distance in the tournament from “Arsenal” teams. Caitlin and specially Steph were great. I hope they can take the good form and feeling back to Arsenal.
Two best coaches in this Olympic tournament were Swedes, I hope this bodes well for us also.
The Canadian coach is underrated, in my opinion. They defend really well. I hope I have not just jinxed them ahead of the finals, though.
Agreed. She is former England’s assistant coach. We will see if England may up regretting going for a “name” instead of really good quality. I feel like Canada, Australia give coaches more freedom (maybe even unintentionally) to make choices that benefit team first and is less about individuals. She didn’t hesitate to bench Zadorsky, who has been mainstay in their defense for years, if better player emerged. Contrast with England and USA is remarkable.
Some of the other goals were wonders but my favourite was Caitlin’s acrobatic nodded in effort. The cross still left her plenty to do but I think the US still need a replacement for Hope Solo as the current incumbent appears a bit on the flaky side which is maybe why they are heading home with the wrong coloured medal!
Kerr missed a glorious chance when 4-2
Unlucky Steph and Caitlin.
What a game.
A major swing from thinking Rapinoe was gonna nab a first half hat-trick to add to her status (which is still nowhere near Viv’s 🙂 ) in a comfortable stroll for the U.S, to Australia grabbing a last minute equalizer.
Great effort by the Matildas.
Here’s hoping the gold medal game is just as fun.
If only the ref had of actually allowed the team to play the full amount of minutes in injury time rather then just deciding the game was over when they had missed half of the injury time to another injury and the rest to a lengthy wait from VAR. Was a bit dicey the way it all ended. But in saying that, the US had done the damage and were better side.
I didn’t see the 3rd place play off game, but Steph Catley was a revelation in the GB versus Oz game, which I plan to watch for the 4th time(!) this evening.
Had Martens not missed the penalty v USA the Dutch would have prevailed.
And had Kim not been deliberately injured by the Australian player in the 68th minute then subsequently substituted around the 78th minute and stayed on the pitch (which she could have) Team GB would not have lost the equalising goal in normal time & also be contesting tomorrow’s Final 🙂
I believe the bronze medal match is on BBC iPlayer for a while. It is worth seeking out.
USA scraped a bronze medal and Rapinoe’s reaction was as if they had just won the World Cup which to me is like the admission that even she knows they were lucky to get that. To be fair all 4 American goals were well taken but those damn Matildas just would not give in even at 4-1 down!