USWNT Qualify For Quarter Final Following Stalemate Point Versus Matildas
Jul 27, 2021, 4:04 AM
Megan Rapinoe #15 of Team United States is closed down by Chloe Logarzo #6 of Team Australia during the Women's Football Group G match between United States and Australia on day four of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Kashima Stadium on July 27, 2021 in Kashima, Ibaraki, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images)
(Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The U.S. Women’s National Team drew 0-0 with Australia to clinch the second spot in Group G and book a quarter-final fixture versus either the Netherlands or Brazil this upcoming Thursday.
The contest drew very few chances as it appeared both teams were content to settle for a point well before the final whistle blew.
Alex Morgan had the best chance of the game to give the United States the early lead when her header that found the back of the net was ruled offside by VAR. Morgan was snubbed by only a matter of inches.
Australia also ricocheted the ball off the woodwork in the first half as they knocked on the door earlier in the contest.
Ticket punched 🎟⁰⁰
For the 7th consecutive Olympics, the #USWNT is through to the knockout rounds.
Quarterfinals coming up on Friday 🇺🇸⚽️ pic.twitter.com/EyqGUSPCk4
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 27, 2021
The second half, however, was very bland. Neither team looked likely to score as the ball was flicked across the backline, and midfield throughout the entire second half.
USA will qualify with 4 points, the same amount of points as Australia, but will clinch the second seed in Group G on goal differential. Australia will also likely qualify as a third-place team pending anything drastic in the later games of the day.
The USA is looking to redeem themselves from the failure that was the 2016 Olympics when they failed to medal for the first time in six Olympic appearances.
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Sweden, who beat the US 3-0 in the opening game of the group, clinched Group G with a 2-0 victory against New Zealand and look to be the favorites of the tournament entering the knockout rounds.
Final standings from Group G
The 🇺🇸 finishes second overall in the group and will face the winner of Group F on Friday in Yokohama.
Group F play is about to kickoff with 🇳🇱 and 🇧🇷 both on 4 points. pic.twitter.com/ii19Utssp8
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 27, 2021
It was the first time since 1996 that the US failed to top their group at the Olympics and the only time that the US did not pick up at least six points during the group stage at the World Cup or Olympic Games.
Plenty of work still remains for the US as they enter the knockout rounds.
USA will play the winner of Group F, which will likely be the Netherlands or Brazil, this upcoming Thursday morning.
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