Olympics 2020: Sweden beat Australia to reach gold medal match

David Ramos/Getty Images

---

The Matildas' dreams of Olympic gold have been dashed in heartbreaking fashion with a 1-0 defeat to Sweden in their semifinal.

Australia controversially had a goal ruled out in the 42nd minute and copped a cruel sucker punch from Fridolina Rolfo less than a minute into the second half to fall short at International Stadium Yokohama.

They will now face the United States, who lost to Canada 1-0 in the earlier semifinal, in Thursday's bronze medal match -- but without star defender Ellie Carpenter, who was sent off in the 95th minute.

Inspirational captain Sam Kerr battled soreness in the lead-up but played the whole game, while coach Tony Gustavsson made just one change to the starting line-up, with Chloe Logarzo replacing Aivi Luik.

- Women's Olympics soccer bracket and fixtures

- Lewis: Australia can be proud despite Sweden loss

By and large, the Matildas defended astutely and were patient in possession early, but only the woodwork stopped Sweden taking the lead in the 23rd minute when Rolfo ripped a terrific long-range strike off the crossbar.

From there, the Australians cranked up the heat and seized control as Alanna Kennedy forced a save from Hedvig Lindahl with a free kick in the 40th minute.

Two minutes later, Australia thought they went ahead when Kerr cleverly volleyed in from Steph Catley's free kick but the referee ruled an offside Emily van Egmond further down the line of players had blocked the run of Swedish defenders.

Australia kept pressing and shortly after, the excellent Yallop whipped in a brilliant ball and Kerr just flicked a header past the post.

Sweden snatched the lead in the most fortuitous of fashions in the 46th minute.

Logarzo partially blocked Filippa Angeldal's long-range shot but it took a wicked deflection and a backtracking Micah was only able to tip the awkwardly bouncing ball onto the crossbar.

In the resulting chaos, the ball nicked out for Rolfo to inventively stick out her leg and hack home from close range.

In the 55th minute, Kerr nodded Carpenter's cross straight at Lindahl, while in the 74th minute, Catley forced a strong near-post save from the Swedish goalkeeper.

From there, the Matildas threw everything at Sweden, with exciting teenage substitutes Mary Fowler and Kyra Cooney-Cross creating chances without reward.

Carpenter received her straight red card in the dying seconds for dragging down Lina Hurtig as the last defender, ruling her out of the bronze medal match.