Australia traded stunning strikes with heavyweights USA in a 4-3 defeat in their bronze medal play-off.
The result is still the equal-best finish of any Australian men’s or women’s side at the Olympics, and the first fourth-place result since the 1992 Olyroos lost their bronze medal showdown.
The Matildas were missing 21-year-old defender Ellie Carpenter, one of Australia’s most consistent performers throughout the Games, due to her late red card in the heartbreaking 1-0 semi-final defeat to Sweden.
Her absence proved instrumental as the Australian defence lacked composure against the outstanding pressure of an all-star American offence, according to Bankstown City Lions FC Women’s Convenor Denise Hinton.
“The USA’s attacks all came down the side that Ellie would have been on,” she said.
“There were a few errors but overall, we are extremely proud of what they achieved.
“The future is looking very bright with our squad now up there with the top nations in the world; all of our players have got real depth and a never-say-die attitude.
“We can look forward to an exciting future.”
