Culture

Heartbreak For The Matildas After Pushing Brazil To A Penalty Shootout

So close.

by Tom Clift  13 August 2016

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Just a few short days after the Australian men’s basketball team nearly staged a major upset against the reining American champs, the women’s soccer team today likewise came agonisingly close to knocking off the Brazilians, after pushing them to a nail-biting penalty shoot out in the Olympic quarter finals.

The home team started the game as heavy favourites after going undefeated in the group stage, thrashing China 3-0 and Sweden 5-1, and recording a nil-all draw against South Africa. But it soon became clear that the Matildas were up to the challenge, with their rock-solid defence holding strong.

After 120 minutes of regulation and extra time, neither team had managed to score, sending the game to that most cruel of modern sporting rituals: the penalty shootout.

It was here that the Matildas fell devastatingly short. Despite the best efforts of the entire Australian team – and particularly goalkeeper Lydia Williams, who was exceptional all night – the Brazilians managed to clinch it 7-6.

The result wasn’t without its controversy, however, with many Australian fans – including ex-Matildas captain Melissa Barbieri – angry that the refs failed to penalise Brazilian keeper Barbara for repeatedly coming off her goal line during the shootout.

Sure, we might not get to go home with the gold, but we’ll always be number one when it comes to complaining about the umpiring.

Brazil now faces a rematch against Sweden in the semis.

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Feature image via The Matildas.