Tokyo 2020 – Australia v USA: Women’s bronze medal match LIVE

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12′ – USA 1-0 Australia

USA are sitting comfortably on this score line and enjoying a nice spell of position.

8′ GOAL! USA 1-0 Australia

Rapinoe scores from a corner kick! The forward whips in a teasing ball, heavy with both speed and spin. Keeper Micah fails to palm the ball away as it flies beyond her, and the balls curls into the far corner of the goal. Fantastic corner, but both the keeper and Australian defence will be disappointed with that one.

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7′ WHAT A SAVE! USA 0-0 Australia

Press fires a venomous shot goal ward. Micah denies the forward by producing a fantastic save and nudges the ball beyond the bar with an outstretched arm.

5′ QUESTIONABLE OFFICIATING – USA 0-0 Australia

Rapinoe bursts forward and the ball is deflected off Davidson for what should be a corner. The officials signal for a free kick. Rapinoe looks bemused.

3′ – USA 0-0 Australia

Energetic start from Australia. Play has been pegged back in the USA half for the opening few minutes of the game.

1′ – USA 0-0 Australia

We’re underway..

8:55 – ANTHEMS IN FULL SWING

Both teams stand for their nation’s anthem. Smiles painted infectiously across the faces of the Australian squad, a real buzz and excitement about this team today.

FINAL SONG FOR ALLEWAY

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8:50

Just under ten minutes until kick off at the Ibaraki Kashima Stadium!

BRONZE WOULD MAKE HISTORY FOR THE MATILDAS..

Although looking tired at times, the Matildas were unfortunate not to reach the gold medal final. Monday’s 1-0 loss to Sweden saw two goals disallowed, with Sweden’s goal amassing from a wild deflection. Australia will certainly feel like worthy contestants in today’s match, and with the ever present threat of all-time top scorer Sam Kerr, they’re likely to cause stand-in keeper Franch some real problems.

CAN USA END ON A HIGH?

It has been unanimously agreed that the USWNT have looked slightly off the pace all tournament, and their narrow 1-0 defeat to Canada in the semi-final proved exactly that. USA have faced Australia 31 times overall, with the world No.1’s leading the series with 26 victories. It will be interesting to see if their polished record becomes further tarnished today.

CARPENTER OUT:

Australia are without highly rated defender Ellie Carpenter following her red card against Sweden. Kennedy, Catley and Polkinghorne will make up a back three, closely shielded by Logarzo and Van Egmond.

Australia’s starting eleven looks like this

ROTATION YET AGAIN FOR USA:

Today’s starting line up sees more rotation from Monday’s loss to Canada. Andonovski opts to start Rapinoe, Press and Lloyd to bolster the attack, who were all introduced as substitutions against Canada. Keeper Franch also starts in the absence of Alyssa Naeher, who suffered a nasty looking hyperextension to her knee in the semi-final clash.

Here is how the USWNT line up today

Australia have already bettered their previous Olympic performances by reaching a semi-final, and now have the chance to make history by winning their first ever Olympic medal. Exactly the type of statement the 2023 World Cup hosts will be looking to make.

This morning’s semi-final holds different motivations for either team. USA have achieved four golds and one silver in previous tournaments, so playing out for a bronze will not only be a first, but also carry a tinge of underachievement for Vlatko Andonovski’s heavily pegged side.

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Hello!

Welcome to LIVE coverage of Tokyo 2020 women’s football tournament. Today hosts an exciting bronze medal match, in which USA and Australia will battle it out to try and snatch third place on the podium. I’m Anna Minter, and I’ll be providing you with updates throughout. KO 9:00 (BST).