Heartbreak for Great Britain as they lose extra time epic to Australia in Olympic football quarter-final with Mary Fowler netting Aussies’ third goal just 82 SECONDS after Caroline Weir’s penalty is saved
- Great Britain were beaten 4-3 by Australia after extra time in Olympic quarters
- Australia led through Alanna Kennedy’s opening goal 35 minutes into the match
- In-form Ellen White headed Team GB level on 57 minutes then netted again
- Britain were seconds away from the semi-finals but Sam Kerr equalised late on
- Caroline Weir then saw a penalty saved by Teagan Micah in extra time
- 82 seconds later, Australia broke downfield to score courtesy of Mary Fowler
- Kerr scored another and Britain couldn’t come back despite another White goal
Where do you even start? Ellen White’s hat-trick? Caroline Weir’s missed extra-time penalty? Mary Fowler’s deflected long-range screamer?
Unfortunately it makes little difference. Team GB are out of the Olympics on a dramatic night on which they simply could not waltz past the Matildas.
Hege Riise’s side were one minute from the semi-final. One minute. The lethal White’s second-half brace had cancelled out Alanna Kennedy’s first-half opener and, while it had been an uncomfortable evening, a win was a win.
It was joy for Australia as they edged out Great Britain after extra time in a quarter-final epic
Caroline Weir saw an extra time penalty saved by Teagan Micah as GB were denied
Australia broke downfield and Mary Fowler’s deflected shot made it 3-2 just 82 seconds later
But Chelsea’s Sam Kerr, one of the world’s best, was inexplicably given the freedom of Kashima from a deep ball. She took her time, hammered home and took it to extra-time.
Even then, this should not have happened. A soft penalty decision gave Caroline Weir the chance to put Britain ahead but her kick was comfortably saved by Teagan Micah and within two minutes, teenage sub Fowler had struck, albeit with the help of Bronze.
Heads dropped and not long after the start of the second period, Kerr made it 4-2 with a fine header.
Australia celebrate after Sam Kerr’s late goal forced the quarter-final into extra time
Ellen White’s second goal sparked wild celebrations from the Great Britain squad
White has been in sensational form during the Olympics and she drew Great Britain level
The Manchester City forward hangs in the air to head Great Britain level in the second half
There was hope when sub Fran Kirby crossed and White nodded in her third. Five minutes to find an equaliser, however, was not enough.
A tournament that had promised so much left in ruins. This was a sad end.
With White firing and the defence appearing stingy, Riise had high hopes for a squad that appeared to be getting better and better.
But this can be branded as nothing other than a huge disappointment. The wait for a medal continues.
Alanna Kennedy scored Australia’s opening goal on 35 minutes at the Ibaraki Kashima Stadium
Kennedy dives onto the turf to celebrate her opening goal with her Australian team-mates
Great Britain’s Lauren Hemp tries to get the better of Australia’s Hayley Raso
Keira Walsh controls the ball under pressure from Australia’s Kyah Simon during the match
Australia’s Ellie Carpenter battles for possession with Great Britain’s Rachel Daly
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