Paris 2024: Matildas run over Zambia in 11-goal Olympic thriller

The Australian women’s football team picked up an unlikely comeback win against Zambia at the Olympics in Nice on Monday morning (AEST), with the Matildas winning 6-5 against the Southern African nation.

The AFC giants, who are without star striker Sam Kerr in their 2024 Olympics mission, were 5-2 down at one point but managed to turn it around to seal a dramatic win.

Australia fell to a 3-0 loss against Germany in their opener last Thursday and now sit third in Group B, which also features four-time gold medallists USA.

Matildas roar back to overturn three-goal deficit

Zambia forward Barbra Banda got her name on the scoresheet before the clock hit the minute mark to hand her team an early lead at the Stade de Nice.

Australia’s Alanna Kennedy, however, came up with a quick response to restore parity in the seventh minute.

Rachel Kundananji then put the Copper Queens ahead once again, and Banda found the net for the second time to make the score 3-1.

Hayley Raso cut the deficit in the 35th minute, but Banda completed her hat-trick and handed her team a 4-2 lead at the interval.

The Orlando Pride talisman now has the most hat-tricks (three) in the history of women’s football at the Olympics.

Zambia were the first to strike in the second half as well, with Kundananji completing her brace 11 minutes after coming out of the tunnel.

The three-goal cushion proved to be insufficient, however, as Zambia suffered a sudden collapse.

An Ngambo Musole own goal in the 58th minute opened the floodgates.

Steph Catley scored with a free-kick seven minutes later, then squared the ledger with a penalty in the 78th minute.

Michelle Heyman put the icing on the cake with a well-placed winner in the 90th minute.

Spain remain favourites in gold medal race

Despite the marvellous victory against Zambia, Australia remain longshots for glory in France.

They are paying $26 with soccer betting sites to win their first-ever Olympic gold in women’s football.

Spain, who won their first two fixtures, remain firm favourites in the title race at $2.60.

The new-look United States women under Emma Hayes are the second favourites, boasting odds of $3.20.

France are at $5.50 to make their home advantage count, while Germany are paying $10 to snatch the crown.

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