The Australian women’s football team came from behind to beat Zambia 6-5 with a 90th-minute goal in a fiercely contested Group B match at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Sunday.
Playing at the Nice Stadium in Nice, the Matildas were down 5-2 at one point. However, a brace from captain Steph Catley (65’, 78’) and goals from Alanna Kennedy (7’), Hayley Raso (35’), Michelle Heyman (90’) as well as an own goal from Ngambo Musole (58’) helped the Matildas pull off an incredible win.
Despite Barbra Banda’s first-half hattrick (1’, 33’, 45’+1) and Racheal Kundananji’s brace (21’, 56’), Zambia couldn’t hold on to their lead and suffered a heartbreaking loss.
The Matildas entered the match after losing 3-0 to Germany in their campaign opener and they were rocked by an early goal. Barbra Banda scored in the opening minute to put Australia in a difficult spot.
The Matildas were given a glimmer of hope with Ngambo Musole scoring an own goal just two minutes later. Catley’s free-kick goal in the 65th minute made a comeback seemingly possible.
Both Banda and Kundananji had consecutive chances to extend Zambia’s lead but the Matildas capitalised on their mistakes with captain Catley scoring from the penalty spot and restoring parity.
Just when the match seemed to be heading to a 5-5 draw, Australia completed a remarkable win after Michelle Heyman scored at the stroke of 90 minutes. Her goal was assisted by Catley.
Both Australia and Zambia had several chances in the eight minutes of additional time, but the frantic contest at Nice Stadium ended in a 6-5 come-back victory for Australia.
