Team GB’s hopes of ending the Olympic Games as medalists are over after Hege Riise’s side were defeated 4-3 by Australia after extra-time.
A rollercoaster quarter-final tie saw Ellen White net a hat-trick for Team GB but it wasn’t enough with the team’s defensive frailties being exposed throughout the 120 minutes while Caroline Weir missed a decisive penalty kick in extra-time.
Team GB arguably played some of their best football so far during the first half and they were unlucky not to break the deadlock. Keira Walsh saw an effort from distance rattle the post while Rachel Daly’s attempted cross came back off the bar before Lauren Hemp saw her resulting shot superbly saved by Australian keeper Teagan Micah.
Australia netted the game’s opening goal against the run of play 10 minutes before the break when Alanna Kennedy ghosted in to head home from a corner kick.
Team GB levelled matters 12 minutes into the second half when White headed home a Hemp cross before Steph Houghton’s last-ditch block diverted an Australia shot onto the bar at the other end as her side’s slack marking was again highlighted.
White then popped up again as she fired Team GB into a 2-1 lead when a loose ball fell into her path. Despite performing well throughout, Australian keeper Micah will have been disappointed to have conceded that goal.
Hemp then almost lobbed Micah from 45 yards as Team GB looked to confirm their place in the semi-finals late in the game.
Team GB looked to have done enough until they were punished by Sam Kerr a minute from time. The Chelsea forward was given far too much time and space in the box and she struck an equaliser for her side from 12 yards.
Riise’s side came out for the first half of extra-time energised and only two superb saves from Micah denied Team GB a third goal. The Australian keeper first tipped a Walsh effort over before clawing away a White strike.
Team GB were then awarded a penalty when Nikita Parris was fouled in the area by Ellie Carpenter. Weir stepped up to take the penalty kick but she saw her effort saved by Micah.
That moment was a turning point with Australia taking the lead from the next attack. Substitute Mary Fowler took aim from the edge of the box and the ball took a wicked deflection off Lucy Bronze’s leg before nestling in the top corner of the net.
The mountain which Team GB had to climb in the second period of extra-time soon grew when Kerr outjumped Houghton to head in her side’s fourth goal.
White completed her hat-trick five minutes from time, heading home a Fran Kirby cross to set up a tense ending but it wasn’t enough for Team GB who have again seen their Olympic Games run ended at the quarter-final stage.
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