Ellen White’s hat-trick was not enough as Great Britain were beaten 4-3 after extra-time by Australia to end their Olympic dream in the quarter-finals of the women’s football at Tokyo 2020.
Sam Kerr dramatically sent the tie into extra-time with a late leveller and extra-time goals from Mary Fowler and the Chelsea star put the Matildas ahead following a missed penalty from Caroline Weir.
Team GB started well but faded as Alanna Kennedy snatched the lead 10 minutes before the break.
But a superb second-half reaction saw White equalise with a looping header, and a second – her fifth of the tournament – followed nine minutes later to flip the game completely.
But Australia refused to give up, with Kerr exposing poor defending by expertly adjusting her body to deliver a crisp finish in the 89th minute to deny Hege Riise’s side.
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Nikita Parris was fouled by Ellie Carpenter five minutes into extra-time, with a controversial penalty awarded, but Weir’s kick was saved well by Teagan Micah.
And Australia used the shift in momentum to snatch the lead within two minutes as Fowler’s shot deflected off Fran Kirby, spinning viciously up into the air and past Ellie Roebuck, nestling into the top right corner.
Kerr had a second, her fifth of the tournament, shortly after the restart in extra-time with a pinpoint header, but Great Britain refused to give in, with White smashing home her hat-trick with five minutes remaining, but it was not to be.
Australia will now face the winner of Japan against Sweden in the semi-finals in Yokohama.
More to follow…
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