Australia Women’s National Team lost to Brazil in the 2016 Olympic quarterfinals in a penalty kick shootout.
Earlier Friday, the United States lost to Sweden in the first-ever penalty kick shootout in Olympic history, and Australia followed in its footsteps in the second.
With their loss to Brazil, the Matildas, called by many to be the dark horses of this Olympic tournament are eliminated and will go home empty handed.
The first half of the game definitely showed Australia’s physical game, fouling Brazil nine times. But Australia fought hard and brought their A game against the host country, especially their back line. Goalkeeper Lydia Williams was there for the save every time the ball came close to her.
Stephanie Catley went out early in the game with an injury, and Chloe Logarzo was subbed in for her at the 19th minute. There was plenty of back and forth between the two teams, though Brazil had possession of the ball for a longer period of time than Australia.
Bdrazil also had a wonderful defense lined up, and their keeper Bárbara was on her line perfectly and able to deflect the balls that came her way. However, in the first minute of stoppage time, as she went to deflect a ball, she collided with Formiga, knocking her down and taking her out for the remaining 30 seconds of the half. The first half remained scoreless.
In the second half, the back and forth continued, with both teams seeing an increase in chances, but each and every time the respective keepers were there to collect, and neither team saw the back of the net.
In the 53rd minute, Lydia Williams went down after punching away a ball that came from a corner kick. After a couple of minutes, she was back up and ready to continue in goal. Fabiana went down only minutes later in the 56th minute, and at the 58th minute she was carried off the pitch on a stretcher. Poliana came in at the 60th minute for her.
Australia made two more substitutions in the second half, and play continued. Back and forth kept strong, and still neither team could find the back of the net in the second half. The game remained scoreless, forcing the teams into extra time, where Brazil finally brought in another sub, that wasn’t out of necessity.
The match ended in a shoot-out, as the match between the United States and Sweden had done earlier today. After five kicks, with the score still tied, they moved into sudden death, where it was decided that Brazil, the home country, would progress to the semifinals, joining Canada and Germany. The Australians will be headed back home without a medal from this Olympic games, as they did in 2004.
Today, women’s soccer saw the first two shootouts in Olympic history, only evidencing the incredible strength, determination and willpower of each of the teams competing.
Australia Women’s National Team Lineup: Lydia Williams; Katrina Gorry, Laura Alleway, Stephanie Catley (Chloe Logarzo 19’), Elise Kellond-Knight, Caitlin Foord, Emily van Egmond, Lisa de Vanna (Clare Polkinghorne 74’), Alanna Kennedy, Samantha Kerr (Larissa Crummer 104’), Kyah Simon (Michelle Heymann 60’)
Subs Not Used: Ellie Carpenter, Tameka Butt, Mackenzie Arnold
Head Coach- Alen Stajcic
Brazil Women’s National Team Lineup: Bárbara; Rafaelle, Fabiana (Poliana 60’), Monica, Tamires; Marta, Thiasia (Andressa 116’), Formiga; Andressa Alvez, Debhina, Beatriz
Subs Not Used: Cristiane, Erika, Bruana, Raquel Fernandez, Aline
Head C oach :Vadão
Misconduct Report
AUS- Alleway cautioned 33’
BRA- Tamiries cautioned 52’
AUS- Foord cautioned 68’
BRA- Marta cautioned 75’
AUS-Kennedy cautioned 80’
BRA- Andressa Alvez cautioned 90+1