Women's Football News

Australia and Zambia both lost their first matches with 3-0. They had to make it up by winning on MD 2, otherwise continuing to the knockouts would become a very difficult story. In our Match Report Australia vs Zambia, you will read what happened during the match. We can tell you: that it is not what you expected. Australia eventually won the match by 6-5, nearly breaking the record for most goals at a women’s football match during the Olympics. Keep reading to find out who scored the penalty, what goal was disallowed and who has an own goal in their name.

Showered with goals from minute 1

What a day to watch women’s football at the Paris 2024 Olympics. It took 1 minute for Barbra Banda to open the score against Australia. The Matildas began their tournament with a 3-0 defeat to Germany. Today they had to win from Zambia to keep their Olympic dream alive. But the same goes for Zambia. The team also lost their first match and had to win. Well, they started great with a goal within a minute against The Matildas. Australia seemed overwhelmed by the strength from Zambia and took a while to regain its ground.

Australia had to chase the equalizer right from the get go and this lasted almost the whole match. The first time it was the free kick from Steph Catley that landed perfectly for Alana Kennedy to head in. Great work by the Matildas, giving them the match back within 9 minutes. Australia continued to put pressure on Zambia. After a couple of corners, brilliant passes and an almost chance from Clare Hunt it is still 1-1 after 15 minutes of play. Zambia however is too good to allow them any type of space. What happens is that Banda and Kundananji try together for goal, but the Australian defense is on point. They clear the ball but due give away a corner. Which does not lead to anything dangerous.

Powerhouses Kundananji and Banda lead the team

Australia kept the pressure on and all it needed was some fine tuning. Maybe utilizing defense to stop Zambia. The Matildas know how to find each other but shots either go wide or passes are not good enough. Zambia defense is also not one you fool easily. Banda and Kundananji are too fast for the defense and midfield of Australia. After losing the ball in a critical area it was Kundananji that showed Australia how to finish an attack. Her shot reached the far corner, too far for Mackenzie Arnold and it doubled the lead.

How to stop Banda at full speed?

More than 20 minutes in and Zambia tried for goal again. Emily van Egmond had to give it her all to stop Banda form launching another attack. This injured the player from Zambia. She received treatment and got back in the field. The situation was followed by a corner-kick for Zambia. It resulted in nothing after Australian defense cleared the ball.

The Matildas regained a little bit of control after Zambia attacked their box for nearly 10 minutes. Gorry and Foord had big opportunities, but it eventually lead to nothing. Foord could not control the ball and get it to a teammate in front of goal. Gorry headed for goal from the edge of the box…which also did not go well.

Eventually it was Barbra Banda that scored the 1-3. The free kick was cleared from the box by Mackenzie Arnold’s fist, but the ball came straight back to Banda. Who looked, aimed and scored. Her second of the tournament. Australia did not hesitate and scored the 2-3 from a set piece. The corner landed on Hayley Raso’s head and she put in the back of the net. 35 minutes of play and five goals. Another brilliant match after we just finished Brazil vs Japan.

100% Attack 0% Defense

The interesting thing about this match was the attacking mindset of both teams. They didn’t really bother with defending, which led to counters, many attempts on goal and lots of excitement. A great match for all football fans watching. Australia continued to launch their attacks just before half-time. Hayley Raso and Caitlin Foord sent cross after cross into the box, and Van Egmond nearly assisted Fowler to the 3-3 from the right wing.

Four minutes are added on to the first half and the extra time starts with a corner kick for Zambia. Banda scores the rebound after Van Egmond tried to clear the ball but hit the Zambian player at top speed. It redirected into the Matilda goal. Very unfortunate. The scoreboard now reads 2-4 and with this the teams go into half-time. Match Report Australia vs Zambia continues below.

Coming back from 2-5

The second half started exactly like the first half did. Within 30 seconds Zambia had their first shot on target, followed by two corner-kicks who were cleared by Alana Kennedy. It took the Matildas over six minutes to set up their first attack. Hayley Raso made a run on the right wing, but Zambia quickly put a stop to it. After a throw-in Raso got it in front of goal but almost scored with the cross itself. Foord was right where the ball landed but Zambia defender Siamfuko cleared the ball. The next minutes cause panic with Zambia. Australia puts pressure on the Zambia box and is determined to score the 2 goals quickly.

The opposite happened. Kundananji scored her second of the match: a phenomenal header from a free kick. Leaving Mackenzie Arnold completely in the dark there. Tony Gustavsson decided to bring some changes on. Michelle Heyman made her way to the attack and scored the 3-5 almost immediately. Getting the Matildas back in the game quickly. The 4-5 didn’t take long after this: Mistake from Musole gives Heyman the chance to get the ball from her, but the VAR spotted a foul. The referee had to check the images herself and decided on a foul. No goal means we were back to 3-5.

Never give up – even if you are three goals behind

Australia did not let it stop them. Catley was fouled about 15 meter from the box. She took the free kick herself, which went straight for Musole but the ball slipped from her hands. The 4-5 brought Australia back into the game once again…Can they equalize and possibly take the lead? Let’s find out.

The record for most goals during a women’s football match is a Dutch 10-3 win over Zambia. The match is only four goals away from holding the new record. With 20 minutes of regular time, this is highly possible. Zambia completely lost their way after the 4-5, not being able to complete more than a couple passes on the half of the Matildas.

Match Report Australia vs Zambia: VAR checks for penalty again

Another VAR check for a possible penalty. Caitlin Foord’s foot was stepped on in the penalty box, resulting in a dramatic dive to the ground. It was definitely a foul, but Foord was a bit extreme. Referee gave the penalty and also gave Muchinga a yellow card. Steph Catley got ready for the penalty and scored the equalizer.

Zambia regained their structure a little bit but The Matildas moved through the lines most of the time. The 6-5 was in the air but it took a while for the next goal to land in the back of the net. Zambia had a few opportunities through free kicks and Banda heading for goal. The Matildas blasted through their energy in the second half, leaving them with nothing. An attack from Zambia lead to a counter from the Matildas. Where Foord did not score her one on one with Musole, Heyman did. She has been an incredible sub this match.

With 8 minutes of added time you could see both teams were absolutely burned out. Australia kept the ball in their possession as much as possible. They did create new attacks and Torpey nearly got the 7-5. Eventually, It ends in 6-5 a very important win for Australia.

Can Australia still reach the knockouts?

Yes, Everything is still possible in Group B. Emma Hayes and the United States won both their matches. This means they lead the group and have 6 points. Australia and Germany both have 3 points. They will fight for second place and/or to be the best of the teams that end up in third place.

This was our Match Report Australia vs Zambia.