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Matildas make nightmare start to Olympics campaign as Aussies ripped over 'horrible' scenes

Tony Gustavsson's side have plenty of work to do if they want to win a medal in Paris.

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·5-min read

The Matildas are licking their wounds after a brutal start to their tournament at the Olympics, after being thrashed 3-0 at the hands of Germany on Thursday night. Seeking their first ever Olympic medal, the Aussies were completely outplayed by the 2016 champions, who didn't allow the Matildas to find their stride in Marseille.

Germany got goals from Marina Hegering, Lea Schueller and brilliant winger Jule Brand, leaving Tony Gustavsson's Matildas side immediately on the back foot in a tough Group B also featuring a powerful US side. It means the Matildas must win their next match against Zambia in Nice on Sunday - and they need some massive improvements.

Matildas players look on after their 3-0 loss to Germany at the Olympics.
The Matildas were found out in defence in a 3-0 loss to Germany at the Olympics. Image: Getty/Channel 9

"It was definitely a wake-up call. We have two more games and we have to turn it around quickly. We have a lot to learn from here," said captain Steph Catley. "I think at times we were well on top and let two set pieces affect the game in a very negative way. There are things that we can fix nice and quickly, which is good. But we just need to be better.

"They are a good team. We did it to ourselves in the end. We conceded two set pieces. We are usually much, much better on set pieces. It is a wake-up call and it is not to our standard and we need to be better for the next game and turn this tournament around."

German players celebrate during their win over the Matildas at the Olympics.
Germany were way too good for the Matildas at the Olympics. (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP via Getty Images)

Former Matilda Amy Chapman said on Channel 9: "It's very obvious we were outclassed today. Germany are 4 in the world and they showed why today. They have all sorts of class acts, class players, very quick down the wings. Obviously aerially very, very strong, defensively a lot of work for the Matildas to do."

The Matildas hardly created any chances as their frailties without inspirational skipper Sam Kerr were exposed. Any decent approach work was scuppered by poor build-up delivery, and the Germans were decisive winners with two headed goals from corners. Brand was the star of the show and fittingly wrapped up the most comprehensive of victories for Germany.

The Matildas suffered a blow before the game when injury forced Tameka Yallop out of the squad, and things only got worse from there. "Germany can feel very pleased with the performance so far this evening, on the back of what was a really disappointing World Cup for them last year," Grace Gill said in commentary for Channel 9.

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The Matildas made the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup in 2023, and are hoping to snare a medal in Paris for the first time ever. But with Kerr on the sidelines due to a knee injury, and a cloud hanging over a number of other veteran players, things are looking grim after their disappointing start.

"Goal difference might hurt them here," Brenton Speed said in commentary. "Eight teams of the 12 go through to the knockout stage, but this is far from desirable, being 3-0 down on the opening day of the tournament."

Fans who woke up early in Australia to watch the game from 3am were left highly unimpressed, with many questioning some of the decisions from coach Gustavsson. The Matildas' display was described as 'horrible' and 'woeful' by social media users.

"Germany was terrific but I reckon that’s as bad as I’ve seen from the Matildas," wrote reporter Brett Graham. "Defensively we were a mess, gave away lots of ball through poor connection and strength over it, set pieces at both ends amateurish. Lots of improvement needed."

with AAP