TNT Sports
Paris 2024 Olympic Games: Trinity Rodman nets as USA top group and end Australia's hopes of progression
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Published 31/07/2024 at 21:06 GMT+1
Trinity Rodman and Korbin Albert both found the net as the US women's team won their final group game at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games 2-1 against Australia. The results means that the US tops their group with a perfect record as Australia now face an anxious wait for the result of the Canada game to see if they will qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
The USA women's football team moved through to the knock-outs of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as group winners after a 2-1 win over Australia on Wednesday.
Australia couldn’t quite complete a second successive injury-time comeback despite Alanna Kennedy’s 92nd-minute goal, in a game that the United States had completely dominated until the final stages to continue their perfect record in France.
Trinity Rodman struck just before half-time and Korbin Albert’s long-range effort appeared to put Emma Hayes’ side in cruise control with 13 minutes to go, the catalyst for the ultra-defensive Matildas to finally throw off the shackles.
But it was too little, too late despite Kennedy’s best efforts as Australia's exit from the tournament was made official after Canada defeated Colombia later on Wednesday.
Tony Gustavsson made one change from the side that impossible beat Zambia earlier in the tournament, replacing striker Emily van Egmond with full-back Kaitlyn Torpey and his side enjoyed barely more than a quarter of possession in the first half.
Knowing a draw would be enough to confirm their quarter-final berth, that plan unravelled when Rodman put the Stars and Stripes ahead just before half-time after a lengthy VAR check.
Mackenzie Arnold had pulled off a string of saves to keep her side in the game but Rodman prodded home from a corner and Albert’s strike left Australia with too much to do.
Earlier, Spain couldn’t cause enough damage against Brazil in Group C to put Australia in pole position in the third-place battle, despite Alexia Putellas’ 107th-minute goal, so only points would be enough to qualify.
Talking Point - Supreme USA coast into knockouts
In front of a motley Marseille crowd, Hayes knew a draw would be enough to secure victory in Group B, but her side played like they required a win to join Spain with three wins from three so far in France.
The USA lacked the same clinical edge in front of goal that they showed when putting Germany to the sword, but instead overwhelmed the Matildas with wave after wave of attack.
Lyon’s Lindsey Horan pulled the strings in midfield with aplomb and Mallory Swanson’s movement in particular caused problems for the Australian back five throughout.
Crystal Dunn went close on two occasions but what will really set alarm bells ringing for the USWNT’s quarter-final opponents is they way they controlled possession and found space in the final third seemingly at will.
Player of the Match - Trinity Rodman
It was her goal who really started the American party, but Rodman also filled out her defensive duties as robustly as her father did on the hardwood. She was a constant thorn in Australia’s side in all areas of the pitch until Hayes withdrew her in the second half, ensuring Rodman will be fresh for the quarter-final - a scary prospect indeed.
Player Ratings
AUSTRALIA: Arnold 8, Carpenter 6, Torpey 5, Kennedy 6, Hunt 6, Catley 5, Raso 5, Gorry 6, Cooney-Cross 5, Foord 6, Fowler 5.
Substitutes: Heyman 7, Wheeler 6, Van Egmond 6, Yallop 6.
USA: Naeher 7, Fox 6, Girma 7, Sonnett 6, Dunn 7, Horan 8, Coffey 6, Lavelle 6, Rodman 8, Swanson 8, Smith 7.
Substitutes: Nighswonger 6, Krueger 7, Albert 7, Bethune 6, Williams 6.
Match Highlights
31' - HUGE chance: She should've scored! Mallory Swanson timed her run off perfectly to latch onto Sophia Smith's sumptuous chip, but just couldn't get any meaningful contact on the ball and Mackenzie Arnold's thigh makes the save.
40' - What a save! It's another quarterback-style dink from about 25 yards out into an onrushing striker and this time Horan does make contact, but Arnold somehow deflects it onto the crossbar and Clare Hunt finishes the clearance.
43' - GOAL! Australia 0-1 USA (Rodman): Rodman has it! Australia have been on the ropes for much of the first half and they're finally punished from a deep corner that Clare headed back across goal, and Rodman reacted quickest to poke it home past a helpless Arnold.
77' - GOAL!! Australia 0-2 USA (Albert): In a game of little quality in front of goal, Albert may well have iced it for America with a dagger to Australian hearts! She slightly shovelled her shot but placed it well enough, past a despairing Arnold and that could be game over.
90+2' - GOAL!!! Australia 1-2 USA (Kennedy): Out of nothing, they're alive! It was another hopeful ball pumped into the box but this time Heyman - the hero last time out - controlled it for Kennedy and she fires under Naeher!
90+3' - ALMOST 2-2! Where has this Australia been? Their gamplan is clear: aerial balls from deep into the box, and any contact from Kennedy would've grabbed the equaliser but she somehow misses it with Naeher stranded!
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