Megan Rapinoe scores directly from a CORNER before USA skipper nets stunning second on the volley following Australia star Sam Kerr’s equaliser in bronze medal match at the Tokyo Olympics
USA captain Megan Rapinoe netted directly from a corner to hand her side the lead in their Olympics bronze medal match against Australia.
Rapinoe scored her first just eight minutes into the contest when she opted to go for goal rather than try and pick out a team-mate in the box from the corner.
The 36-year-old bent a delicious ball into the box and it was all too much for Teagan Micah in the Australia goal, who made a last-ditch attempt to claw the ball away.
Megan Rapinoe (left) netted directly from a corner to help USA take the lead against Australia
The pace and whip on her delivery was too much to handle for Australia keeper Teagan Micah
But despite getting some of her hand to the ball, Micah could not prevent Rapinoe’s whipped delivery from finding the far side of the net and handing the world champions the lead.
The Matildas however brought themselves level nine minutes later after an uncharacteristic defensive error allowed Arsenal striker Caitlin Foord to slip in captain Sam Kerr.
And the Chelsea star stroked it home despite the acute angle, only for Rapinoe to restore USA’s lead with a stunning first-time volley following a mix-up between Clare Polkinghorne and Alanna Kennedy.
Rapinoe’s side then extended their lead before the break in the first minute of added time at the end of the first half, with Carli Lloyd providing an emphatic finish after Lindsey Horan’s inch-perfect pass.
Micah made a last-ditch attempt to claw the ball away but could not prevent it from going in
Sam Kerr (left) restored parity for the Matildas after a through ball from Caitlin Foord (right)
USA are competing in the bronze medal match at Tokyo 2020 after suffering a major semi-final upset at the hands of Canada on Monday via a penalty shootout.
After the defeat, 2019 Ballon d’Or winner Rapinoe said she could not put determine why her side had not clicked into gear or ‘had our joy’.
She added: ‘It just hasn’t flowed for us. We just didn’t have that juice that we normally do.’
Australia – who beat Team GB 4-3 last week despite Ellen White’s double – meanwhile missed out on a shot at the gold medal following a narrow 1-0 defeat by Sweden.
The two sides have already faced each other at these Games, with Australia holding the USA to a goalless draw in their final Group G match on Tuesday last week.
Rapinoe’s first-time volley saw the USA retake the lead after an eventful opening 25 minutes
Carli Lloyd extended their lead with an emphatic finish after Lindsey Horan’s inch-perfect pass