Matildas 4-3 Great Britain: Australia close in on Olympics medal with epic extra-time win as Sam Kerr steps up again

The Matildas are closing in on their first ever Olympics medal after beating Great Britain 4-3 in an epic quarter-final in Kashima on Friday night. 

Both sides came into this clash on the back of draws in their final group matches and started the game with a clear desire to dictate proceedings. 

Great Britain were looking the most dangerous in attack with Teagan Micah forced into a save early on before Keira Walsh hit the post with a long-range effort after 15 minutes. 

Less than 10 minutes later, Great Britain would hit the woodwork again through a cross with Lauren Hemp forcing Micah into a fine save at the near post on the follow up.

Having ridden their luck in defence, the Matildas opened the scoring against the run of play in the 35th minute with Alanna Kennedy expertly headed home a Steph Catley corner. 

Australia started the second half on the front foot with Kyah Simon guilty of not making the most of a free header not long after the restart. 

Great Britain made the most of that let-off as they equalised in the 57th minute with striker Ellen White bagging her fourth goal of the tournament with a brilliant header. 

Just minutes later, the Matildas nearly regained the lead with a deflected effort striking the crossbar as they searched for an instant response. 

It was Great Britain that struck next however with White pouncing on a poor defensive clearance to power an effort past Micah in the 66th minute. 

Desperate to avoid another quarter-final exit at the Olympics, Australia threw players forward in search of an equaliser and it was superstar Sam Kerr that found it as she lashed home a loose ball in the 89th minute. 

Kerr’s fourth goal of the tournament forced the match into extra time with Micah making two impressive saves in the first five minutes to deny Great Britain and keep the scores locked at 2-2. 

Micah was again forced to step up in the 101st minute when Great Britain were awarded a controversial penalty with the Matildas keeper doing well to save an effort low to her left. 

Teenager Mary Fowler then made herself the hero for Australia with her powerful effort from distance finding its way into the top corner in the 103rd minute. 

Kerr looked to settle the contest straight after the restart of the second period of extra time as she headed home from close range to make it 4-2. 

White would head home her hat-trick in the 115th minute to make it 4-3 and set up a nervous finish for the green and gold. 

The Matildas would hold on however with Sweden or Japan awaiting them in the semi-finals on Monday in Yokohama.