Sam Kerr stars in thrilling comeback as the Matildas beat Great Britain to make their first ever Olympics semi-final
The Matildas have booked a place in the semi-finals of the Tokyo Olympics after a pulsating 4-3 win over Great Britain.
Trailing 3-2 late in the second half, superstar striker Sam Kerr equalised in the 89th minute to send the contest into extra time.
Young gun Mary Fowler then found the back of the net with a deflected effort, before Kerr iced the game with a clinical header moments later.
Great Britain striker Ellen White finished with a hat-trick, but it wasn't enough as the Matildas moved through to the semi-finals, where they will face Sweden.
Captain Sam Kerr guided the Matildas to a historic 4-3 win over Great Britain on Friday in their Olympics quarter-final
The Matildas have booked a place in the Olympics semi-finals with a stunning 4-3 comeback win over Great Britain
Aussie superstar Sam Kerr again put her name in lights, scoring a brace for the Matildas in their epic 4-3 quarter-final win over Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics
Goalkeeper Teagan Micah had the game of her life, producing a clinical save from the penalty spot to deny Caroline Weir in extra time.
The shot-stopper was busy from the opening whistle, making seven saves in the match, the joint-most by any goalkeeper in a game at the women's tournament so far.
Alanna Kennedy opened the scoring in the first half following a bullet header from a pinpoint Steph Catley corner.
Speaking moments after the final whistle, captain Kerr paid tribute to her teammates.
'I actually can't explain how proud I am to be part of this team and to lead this team out,' she told Channel 7.
'Every day they surprise me. We've been through so much as a team. I haven't seen some of these girls for nearly two years and we come out here and beat teams who have played together for so long.
'I'm so proud of everyone. It is a team effort.'
Kerr went on thank the legion of football fans back home for their unwavering support.
Many would have been in the crowd cheering on the girls - but the Covid pandemic has ruled that out.
'We feel the love from home. We are doing everything to make you guys proud. I hope you guys felt it today and we feel your love from afar. Let's go the mighty Aussies.'
Tony Gustavsson's side take on Sweden at 9pm on Monday night for a spot in the final.
Before tonight's triumph, the Matildas had twice reached the quarter-final stage at the Olympics, in Greece back in 2004 and Brazil in 2016.
They were defeated on both occasions: 2-1 to Sweden in Athens, and then 7-6 to hosts in Rio five years ago on penalties.
Ellie Carpenter (pictured left) battles for possession with Great Britain's Rachel Daly - the Matildas won 4-3 to move through to the semi-finals of the Olympics
Hayley Raso (pictured left) looks to keep Lauren Hemp at bay in the Matildas Olympic quarter-final, which they won 4-3 in extra time
Next up for the Matildas in the semi-finals are Sweden, who are touted by many pundits as the team to beat in Tokyo