The Matildas' Olympics dream is over in the cruellest of circumstances after a 0-0 draw saw Brazil win 7-6 on penalties in the 2016 Rio Olympics quarter-finals.
In front of a packed Estadio Mineirao, the Brazilians were on the backs of the Australians throughout the game and the pressure mounted as it went to spot kicks.
There were concerns for Steph Catley as she was subbed off for Chloe Logarzo after just 20 minutes with a suspected hamstring injury.
It was Debinha who almost found the back of the net after the 15th minute when her long range shot forced Lydia Williams to tip it wide for a corner.
Australia’s best chance of the first half came after a brilliantly crafted free kick by Emily Van Egmond who found Sam Kerr’s head, it then landed to Alanna Kennedy who volleyed it straight at Brazilian goalkeeper Barbara.
On the brink of half-time Andressa Alves executed a perfect through ball to Debinha which exposed Australia’s defence with the final shot blasted over the goal.
Four minutes into the second half Andressa ran at goal and attempted to turn Caitlin Foord inside-out, the shot was deflected off Australia’s No.9 and luckily for the Matildas Williams dealt with it.
At the 53rd minute it looked to be a certain goal for Brazil when Andressa’s low cross found Beatriz in the six yard box, but Kennedy was the hero who cut out the shot for a corner.
A rapid counter attack by Brazil with 15 minutes remaining saw Andressa streaming down on the left with only Williams to beat, however the shot went wide.
At the 82nd minute a fortuitous result for Australia when Beatriz’s header went wide of the goal from Tamires’ ball in.
A shout for a penalty after Formiga clattered into Michelle Heyman was ignored and it resulted in Marta running full speed at goal and to the relief of Australia the final shot was poor.
The Aussies had their hands in their heads when Foord almost teed up an unlikely hero, Chloe Logarzo’s first time shot from long range struck the crossbar with four minutes remaining.
Williams denied Andressa her glory at the 90th minute with a superb save from close range to send the game into extra-time.
Australia started extra-time well, Katrina Gorry found the side of the net early on. The game opened up with players looking extremely tired.
Heyman broke through with five minutes remaining, she was eventually dispossessed only for it land to Foord whose shot went wide.
Marta almost sealed it at 118th minute, her sizzling run had a tired Elise Kellond-Knight falling over and her venomous shot was saved by Williams which meant the game would be settled by the dreaded shootout.
Andressa, Andressinha, Beatriz, Rafalle all converted for Brazil from the spot kick before Marta’s penalty was denied.
Gorry had the chance to win the game before Barbara denied the midfielder. The shootout went on and Kennedy’s penalty was stopped to send the Australian’s in tears.
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