Australia 3 – 4 United States (Kashima)
Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord played the full 90 minutes for the Matildas against the USWNT in Kashima but were defeated 4-3 in the bronze medal match-up. Lydia Williams was again on the bench. The US took an early lead through Megan Rapinoe, who scored directly from a corner. The lead was shortlived as Caitlin Foord teed up Sam Kerr for the equaliser. The US regained their lead soon after with a fulminating volley from Megan Rapinoe.
Carli Lloyd added goals either side of half-time to seemingly put the tie to bed. Caitlin Foord scored a header to make it 2-4 before a late wonder goal from Emily Gielnik set up a tense finale. USA take the bronze, it is not entirely clear when Foord, Catley and Williams will return to Arsenal but it seems unlikely they will be part of the squad for the Champions League qualifying games in Moscow on August 18th and 21st. Arsenal’s other Olympians return to training later this week.
Vivianne Miedema will certainly finish as top scorer for the tournament with ten goals, with Ellen White, Sam Kerr and Barbra Banda on six. Sweden and Canada will play the gold medal match on Friday and the closest from their squads to Viv’s tally is Stina Blackstenius on three. Arsenal scored a total of 12 goals at the tournament, with Miedema scoring 10 and Iwabuchi and Foord grabbing a goal each.
