Australia 6-5 Zambia: Matildas roar back from 5-2 down in Olympics thriller

Australia and Zambia played to a wild Group B result in Nice, France, collectively scoring 11 goals throughout the game — ultimately ending 6-5 in Australia's favor.

On Sunday, Zambia appeared to have the early edge, from Barbra Banda's first-minute goal to a 4-2 lead by the break, which they extended to 5-2 through the 56th minute. But Australia fought back through a combination of a spark off the bench in second-half substitute Michelle Heyman and a friendly VAR call that gave them a penalty in the 77th minute.

Zambia were en route to their first-ever Olympic victory, enjoying both the lead and a hat trick from 24-year-old superstar Banda — and a brace from fellow high-profile striker Racheal Kundananji — but a disorganized defense, goalkeeper error, and some bad luck added up against them.

The Group B matchup should prove illuminating for the United States, who will play Australia on Wednesday. Australia struggled against Germany in the first game and looked on the verge of total disarray against Zambia. Their short passing and possession were choppy and their defensive efforts, particularly on set pieces, showed glaring weaknesses. Still, this puts Australia third in the group so far, and if they lose to the U.S., these three points could be enough to let them advance despite a negative goal differential.

Australia started the comeback by forcing an own goal in the 58th minute as Heyman's weak backheel turned into an attempted goal-line clearance from a defender that rebounded off goalkeeper Ngambo Musole, making it 5-3. The Matildas then had a goal disallowed by VAR as Heyman was adjudged to have fouled Musole, followed shortly by a hard free kick from Steph Catley that Musole was unable to hold on to, bringing the score to 5-4. The fifth Australian goal chance came from another VAR call, awarding a penalty for a foul in the box. Matildas captain Catley again stood over the ball and buried it in the back corner of the netting.

Heyman, who officially retired from international soccer in 2019, only made the Olympic roster after a standout season in the Australian A-League. This season, she became the first A-League Women player to surpass 100 goals. With the absence of veteran captain and primary goalscorer Sam Kerr, Heyman was able to step into that focal role in front of goal.

After the final whistle, distraught Zambian players collapsed onto the field after eight minutes of stoppage. Banda was consoled by both her own teammates and Australian players while Musole wept in a teammate's arms. Banda has now scored three hat tricks across two Olympic Games, yet with no wins for her team.

Teammates and players from Australia comfort Barbra Banda after Zambia's loss. (Photo by Marc Atkins, Getty Images)

The result also impacts Group A, where Canada must now win their next two games outright in order to have any hope of advancing. Had Australia and Zambia tied, and then lost their third games, they both would have had one point, which would have allowed Canada through if they also only had one point but a better goal differential.

As it is, all potential third-place teams now have at least three points, which requires Canada to beat both France and Colombia to have a net three points remaining after the six points docked by FIFA for their staff's use of a drone to spy on opponents New Zealand.

(Top photo: Getty Images)