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Matildas eliminated from Paris Olympics after brutal moment for Alanna Kennedy in loss to USA

The Matildas were in tears after the brutal defeat at the Olympics.

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·5-min read

The Matildas have been left utterly devastated after a late Alana Kennedy miss saw the Aussies lose 2-1 to the USA in the women's football and eventually eliminated from the Olympics. Coach Tony Gustavsson's side were dominated for large portions of the game against the USA as the four-time champions held on in the sweltering heat at Stade de Marseille after a nervy finish.

After the 2-1 loss, the Matildas needed France to defeat New Zealand and Colombia to get a draw or better against Canada. The Canadian team was penalised six points, and lost the appeal, for using a drone to spy on New Zealand's training session ahead of the first Olympics game. Joseph Lombardi and Jasmine Mander were banned from any football-related activity for one year.

The Matildas have been left utterly devastated after a late Alana Kennedy mis saw the Australians go 2-1 down to the USA at the Olympics. (Getty Images)
The Matildas have been left utterly devastated after a late Alana Kennedy mis saw the Australians go 2-1 down to the USA at the Olympics. (Getty Images)

Canada won their first two games and were seeking a victory against Colombia to move equal on points with the Matildas. And Canada scored in the second-half to move ahead of Australia as one of the better third-placed teams - while France defeated New Zealand - to ultimately end the Matildas' Olympics campaign. Canada advanced with a better for and against as the best third-placed team.

But few could argue Australia deserved to qualify for the knockout stages after two brutal losses and a disjointed lead-up to the Paris Olympics. And after the result, questions need to be asked of the Matildas' Olympics campaign having lost to Germany, defeated Zambia in a 6-5 thriller and eventually defeated and dominated by the USA.

Kaitlyn Torpey and Alanna Kennedy look dejected.
Kaitlyn Torpey and Alanna Kennedy devastated after they were eliminated from the Olympics.

While it would be hard to argue Mary Fowler, Gustavsson and the Matildas deserved to win against the USA, there was plenty of drama in the game with a long VAR review causing pandemonium. A late goal from Kennedy kept Australia in the game, but they were outplayed for a large portion of the contest.

Mackenzie Arnold kept the USA at bay on both sides of half-time, but a controversial VAR moment left coach Gustavsson fuming. After a cross, Sophia Smith headed across goal to Trinity Rodman. The American slotted the ball home to give the USA a valuable lead.

The referees wanted to check with VAR if there was an issue amid the scramble before the ball went into the net. But in unfortunate circumstances, the referee system to review the goal was not working. Five minutes went by with tension building for the Matildas to find out if they were going down a goal. And during the delay, Gustavsson fumed at the officials.

This saw the Aussie coach booked. And to make matters worse for Australia, the goal was allowed to stand. Only moments later Korbin Albert put the USA 2-0 up in the 78th minute.

Alanna Kennedy in tears at the Olympics.
Alanna Kennedy (pictured) devastated after the loss to the USA at the Olympics.

Michell Heyman was able to get on the end of a cross to nod it down to Kennedy in the 91st minute to give Australia hope. Kennedy finished with aplomb as she rallied the Matildas for one final push. Then in a brutal moment, Kennedy missed a golden chance in stoppage time to level the game.

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A goal would have secured Australia passage to the next stage, but instead the Aussies were in tears following the brutal defeat. Fans were quick to rally around the Matildas. There was also plenty of support for Kennedy after she put in a player-of-the-match performance. Kennedy pushed up the field and led the Aussie fightback, only to be left devastated with her miss in stoppage time.