The Matildas squad during a training session in Marbella, Spain in July 2024.

After defeating Zambia 6-5 on Monday morning (AEST), the Matildas entered their final group stage game requiring a result against the USA to guarantee advancement to the knockout stages.

The Matildas fans brief hopes of a potential repeat of the final group stage game at the Tokyo Olympics, where the USA and Australia played out a draw with both sides securing advancement, were quickly dashed pre-game.

Emma Hayes’ side entered the game with an unchanged line-up after having scored seven goals against Zambia and Germany, looking dominant in both performances, making the decision by Tony Gustavsson to set up in a 5-2-3 without a recognised striker rather confusing.

The Americans would take full advantage, causing constant trouble to the Matildas, getting through the midfield and defensive lines easier than a knife through butter in an Australian summer, and would be rewarded with a 43rd minute Trinity Rodman goal, although it was subjected to a lengthy VAR check that saw Gustavsson receive a yellow card.

In fact, were it not for Mackenzie Arnold in goals, Australia would have been further down at half-time, with the shot stopper forced into action more times than would be ideal, but giving a side as proficient as the USA 72 per cent of the ball in a half of football, it was always a recipe for disaster, who ended up with nine shots (seven on target) compared to the Matildas lone off-target shot.

The half-time break saw Gustavsson make a lone substitute, with Clare Wheeler replacing Kyra Cooney-Cross in the midfield two, choosing to stick with the 5-2-3 from the first half in defence, shifting to a 3-4-3 in attack, as the USA continued to pile the pressure on the Matildas, who struggled to get forward.

The introduction of Michelle Heyman in the 59th minute was a welcome sight for Matildas fans, and saw some positional changes as Foord moved to left wing, Fowler moving into the midfield, and Wheeler dropped to left back, with Katrina Gorry and Kaitlyn Torpey being substituted off, with Emily van Egmond replacing Gorry in the midfield as well.

Despite the inclusion of Heyman as a striking option, the Matildas still struggled to develop an attack, only managing two additional shots in the first 30 minutes of the second half, with only one on target.

The Matildas fate of relying on the outcome of Colombia vs Canada in Group C to advance as one of the two best third placed sides was sealed when Korbin Albert scored a screamer from outside the box to seal the result for the Americans.

With time continuing to run out, Gustavsson would turn to a tactic he has utilised quite a bit during his time in charge.

Sticking Alanna Kennedy up top, and it would pay off, with the defender scoring from open play to make it 2-1 and give Australia a small glimmer of hope at a result to secure advancement, but they would ultimately fall short, unable to secure a second goal, and relying on results in Group C to fall their way, creating a nervy two-hour wait.

The Quarter-Finals are set

The nervy wait for the Matildas was all for naught as Canada defeated Colombia 1-0 to advance to the knockout stages, overcoming the six point deduction FIFA delivered because of the drone-spying scandal, and Canada’s appeal was dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport earlier in the day.

With the groups now settled, the quarter finals are now set with some very intriguing match-ups for the neutral.

After sealing their spot at the top of Group B, the USA will take on Japan at 11pm AEST on Saturday night.

At 1am on Sunday morning (AEST), Spain will take on Colombia as the 2023 Women’s World Cup winners face a side who are making their first appearance in the knockout stages at the Olympics, Canada will take on Germany at 3am, with host nation France to take on Brazil at 5am.

The semi-final matches would then see the winners of France/Brazil and Spain/Colombia do battle, as well as the victors of USA/Japan and Canada/Germany.

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