The USWNT easily controlled the ball for the majority of of the match, challenging Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold numerous times while her teammates struggled to handle the ball for any sustained amount of time. The first half was offense-free until the final minutes, when Rodman broke through, punching in a header from Sophia Smith. Albert's shot late in the second half was touched by Arnold, but the ball glanced off her fingers and into the net.
This victory ends pool play for women's soccer at the Olympics, and now the USWNT moves on to the quarterfinals, where it'll face Japan. The USWNT is one of just two teams to come through pool play without a single loss, and the team has scored nine goals over their first three games, while allowing just two. Nine is the highest number of goals/points the USWNT has scored at the Olympics in program history.
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Liz Roscher
It's over! USWNT wins 2-1!!
Despite a late surge from the Matildas, the USWNT held on to their 2-1 lead and have won the match! They advance to the quarterfinal as No. 1 in Group B and have scored nine points in pool play for the first time since 2012.
Their next opponent? Japan.
Liz Roscher
Less than a minute into stoppage time, Australia finally gets on the board to cut their deficit in half at 2-1. They need just one more goal to force a draw...
Liz Roscher
Korbin Albert extends the lead!
It's a goal for Korbin Albert! She gives the U.S. an insurance goal to put them up 2-0 as the clock continues ticking down.
Liz Roscher
These subs are extra important considering Emma Hayes didn't rotate starters today. Not disagreeing with the decision, it's just the Olympic tournament is more physically taxing than the World Cup and as great as the XI's been, they need to steal breathers
We just hit the 60-minute mark in the match and the score is still 1-0. There's been a lot of running and kicking, but not a whole lot of action near either goal.
Liz Roscher
We're back!
Let's see if the USWNT can hold on to or even increase their 1-0 lead over Australia, or if the Matildas will fight back and score a goal of their own.
We're at halftime! USWNT still leads 1-0 — though according to the broadcast, a VAR failure may be why. A technical failure may also be why the VAR check took much, much longer than normal.
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 31, 2024
Liz Roscher
It was a tense few minutes during that VAR review, but the goal stands and the U.S. holds on to its lead.
10 minutes of stoppage time has been added to the clock before the end of the half, mostly due to the recent pause to check the goal.
Liz Roscher
GOAL! USWNT LEADS 1-0!!
They've broken the stalemate! The USWNT, thanks to excellent work from Trinity Rodman, scores the first goal of the match and now leads Australia 1-0.
Liz Roscher
So close!!
The USWNT was so close to going up 1-0 during that free kick. Australia's keeper managed to snag the ball just in time, but it's the nearest Team USA has gotten to scoring against the Matildas in this match.
Liz Roscher
Very interesting that Sam Coffey got a yellow card just four minutes into the match, but several Matildas are fouling at will and the USWNT can't seem to get a call...
Liz Roscher
The USWNT has been dominating the possession battle so far, but it hasn't led to a ton of chances for them yet
Liz Roscher
Australia is in a five-back but the #USWNT has still found a way through early. Encouraging if your the U.S. longtime struggles against compact defenses. As ever, that final piece is of necessity. There are goals to be scored in this game.
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 31, 2024
Liz Roscher
The USWNT will be wearing their white tops and blue shorts for the match today, so it'll be pretty easy to tell them apart from Australia's players, who will likely be wearing their familiar green shorts and yellow tops.
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) July 31, 2024
Liz Roscher
USWNT vs. Australia is less than one hour away
Good afternoon! Are you ready for the powerful USWNT to take on the Matildas of Australia to close out group B at 1:00 p.m. ET? Because the players are more than ready.
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