Matildas lose to Sweden at Tokyo Olympics as Sam Kerr scores two, misses penalty

Sam Kerr scored twice but missed a crucial penalty as the Matildas went down 4-2 to Sweden at the Tokyo Olympics.

Qualification from the group stage now looks dicey for the Australians, with a final game against the United States looming. 

The top two teams from each group go through, as well as the best two third-placed teams.

Australia’s defence will be under the spotlight leading up to the do-or-die clash with the US, after the Swedes sliced it open all too easily at times.

The Matildas started strongly,  playing a 3-5-2 with the ball and the wingbacks raiding down the sidelines.

But it was a simple mistake that saw Sweden take the lead, with Caitlin Foord caught out of position to allow Sofia Jakobsson freedom down the right to set up Fridolina Rolfö for the opener.

That saw the Matildas go into their shells and Sweden take control of the game.

But up stepped Kerr, latching on to a beautifully weighted pass from Kyah Simon to head home the equaliser in the 36th minute.

With temperatures dropping to more comfortable levels, the match only went up in intensity in the second half, with momentum swinging back and forth.

Kerr remains a threat no matter what the state of the game, though, and she gave Australia the lead three minutes after the break with another headed goal, this time assisted by Foord.

But Sweden kept coming, using their pace to get behind the Australian line.

Jakobsson’s speed once again hurt Australia, as she set up a goal for Lina Hurtig.

Then it was Rolfö doing it all herself, smashing in the goal of the game from distance past Matildas keeper Teagan Micah.

And Sweden continued to look dangerous as Australia pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

The attacking mindset appeared to have paid off for the Matildas, though, when Foord was tripped in the box and VAR declared it a penalty.

After standing over the ball for an age, Kerr’s penalty attempt was saved brilliantly by Rut Lindahl with her outstretched foot.

Instead of going into the final 20 minutes tied at 3-3, the Matildas were forced to chase the game, and Sweden duly picked them off again to go 4-2 up.

Hurtig turned provider this time with a superb cross, which was angled in by Stina Blackstenius’s glancing header. 

Kerr’s head didn’t drop and she continued to harry the Sweden defence, but the Matildas were unable to find the net again.

A two-goal defeat after a single-goal victory over New Zealand in their opening match means Australia’s goal difference looks a little shaky at -1. 

A win against the US would surely see them through, but a draw may not even be enough.

The US will fancy their chances against this Australian defence unless coach Tony Gustavsson can sort out the team’s shaky defence.