The USA women's team continued to be a joy to watch during the 2024 Paris Olympics as they beat Australia 2-1 thanks to goals from Trinity Rodman and Korbin Albert and a consolation strike from Alanna Kennedy. They end Group B having recorded three wins from three, scoring nine goals in the process.
The first half really struggled to get going until the 25th minute, with Emma Hayes' USWNT being dominant but not able to find that crucial opening. The breakthrough came from Trinity Rodman who scored her second goal at this Olympics.
Korbin Albert doubled the USA's lead well into the second half with her first international goal but Australia threatened to cause a late shock. An Alanna Kennedy goal to halve the deficit was all the Australians could manage despite putting immense pressure on their opponents in the final ten minutes of the game.
The USA will now play Japan in the quarter finals, who have finished second in Group C after losing to Spain in their opener but beating Brazil and Nigeria.
As for Australia, who finish third in Group B, it's the end of the road. They had a nervous wait to see how Canada, third in Group A, got on against Colombia. That game ended in a 1-0 win for the Canadians, meaning that they are one of the two best third-placed teams and will progress to the quarter finals.
Australia have been pipped to the post by Brazil and Canada in that mini table and will now reflect on a disappointing tournament.
Story of the Match
Australia surprisingly only made one change to the team that started their 6-5 win over Zambia on Sunday. There had been calls for match-winner Michelle Heyman to make her first start of the tournament, but she had to wait for her opportunity from the bench once again. Kaitlyn Torpey was the sole change to Tony Gustavsson's starting eleven, replacing Emily van Egmond.
It was the same for the USA too, though their only change for this game was an enforced one, with Emily Sonnett coming into the side for the injured Tierna Davidson, who was forced off midway through their 4-1 win over Germany.
Four-time gold-medallists USA were already through to the quarters but would cement their place as Group B winners with just a point, without even having to worry about Germany's clash with Zambia. However, just by looking at Hayes' team selection, it was clear that she and her team were looking for nine points from nine and a third consecutive, convincing win.
Meanwhile, Australia came into this game under pressure - both the team and manager have recently been the subject of intense scrutiny from media and the public despite that terrific comeback win against the Zambians. Unless they got a result at the Stade de Marseille, they would face an anxious wait for the end of Canada's game.
The USA didn't have the best start to the game. Samantha Coffey, who has started all three games and been so important in the middle of the pitch, was shown a yellow card after just three minutes. With it being her second booking in the group stage games, she will be suspended for the Japan clash.
That didn't stop Emma Hayes' side from being by far the more dominant team in the opening stages. The first twenty minutes offered up few noteworthy chances. Sophia Smith, as is often the case, was one of the most important providers of USA chances, setting up Trinity Rodman for a first shot on target of the match, but it was dealt with by Mackenzie Arnold, before Smith fired well over from the rebound.
Despite intense pressure from The Stars and Stripes, Australia held their own very well and on 25 minutes had the best chance of the game up to that point, albeit a speculative one. They had been second best in the match but they were side full of energy going forwards, as proven by Sunday's 11-goal thriller. Katrina Gorry had space down the left and picked out Mary Fowler. She took a touch before hitting a low drive but it fired wide.
As the second half of the first 45 went on, the USA did begin to test Arnold more, with the Matildas' number one having to use her height to try and prevent a USA opener. Sophia Smith delivered a wicked ball towards Mallory Swanson, who has netted three times during the tournament. Arnold made herself big to block the close range attempt from the Chicago Red Stars forward inside the six yard area.
Australia's game plan of frustrating the USA and forcing them into a fair few shots outside the box was working in the main. On 38 minutes, left back Crystal Dunn took a shot on from distance but it was well parried by Arnold. Two minutes later, Emily Fox whipped in a promising ball that found Horan at the back post. Her point=blank header was tipped onto the crossbar by Arnold and cleared away.
43 minutes in, the breakthrough arrived for the USA but, from the Aussies' point of view, it came in contentious fashion. Sophia Smith tried a header from the left-hand side of the box but it looked to be going out of play, that was until Trinity Rodman stretched for the ball and struck just a couple of yards away from goal. The Matildas contingent argued for offside but, while looked like a possible outcome during a lengthy six-minute check, the goal stood and the USA were ahead, much to the dismay of Australia, with manager Tony Gustavsson seen shouting 'how?' repeatedly at the referee after the final decision.
The USA looked comfortable with just 45 minutes of the group stages remaining
Both teams made a change each at the break. For Australia, Kyra Cooney-Cross made way for Clare Wheeler in the midfield while the USA substitution saw Jenna Nighswonger take Crystal Dunn's place. The USA had three chances to extend their lead in quick succession but Sophia Smith, Rose Lavelle and Mallory Swanson all saw their efforts charged down by the Australia backline. Soon after, centre back Naomi Girma tried her luck from range but her shot just flashed wide of the post.
Around the hour mark the game was already looking in danger of fizzling out and as such both sides opted to make changes. Emily van Edmond and last -minute goal scorer at the weekend Michelle Heyman entered the fray in place of Katrina Gorry, who suffered a nasty knock during the game, and Kaitlyn Torpey as the Aussies' looked to add more firepower going forwards as they searched for an equaliser.
Meanwhile, the USA made three changes, one in each area of the pitch. In defence, Casey Krueger came on for Emily Fox, while in the midfield Rose Lavelle made way for Korbin Albert and up top Lynn Williams replaced Trinity Rodman.
Mackenzie Arnold made another smart save just before Emma Hayes rung those changes, this time getting down low to deny Sophia Smith.
The USA looked the more likely to score in a half in which, up to that point, chances were few and far between, and indeed they did.
Korbin Albert got her first goal for her national team on 77 minutes and it would be one to remember for more than just that reason. She let fly from just over 20 yards out and rifled the ball into the upper left-hand side of the net, strengthening The Stars and Stripes' advantage.
