Strong First Half from Logarzo, Australia not Enough to get Past Sweden in Olympic Semifinal

YOKOHAMA, Japan (August 2, 2021) — After Kansas City NWSL midfielder Chloe Logarzo impressed as a substitute in Australia’s 4-3 victory over Great Britain in the Olympic Quarterfinal round, she was rewarded with a starting spot in the Matildas’ first-ever semifinal match in a major international tournament against Sweden on Monday morning.  

Despite Logarzo and the Matildas’ best efforts, Australia could not break down a resolute Sweden backline and fell 1-0. A 46th minute goal by Sweden midfielder Fridolina Rolfö scored seconds into second half proved to be the difference, and, unlike Australia’s last match against Great Britain, the Matildas could not pull back a late equalizer. The defeat marked Australia’s second to Sweden in the Tokyo 2021 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, as Sweden defeated Australia 4-2 in Group G play on July 24.  

Lograzo was the only change to Australia manager Tony Gustavsson’s Starting XI following the Great Britian match, and she rewarded Gustavsson with a solid shift in the midfield. She was particularly active in the first half, an opening 45 minutes in which Australia appeared to be on the front foot. Logarzo put in quality work intercepting passes in the midfield, helped launch Australia forward on the counterattack, and was even involved in connecting passes in the final third.  

Even as Australia dominated the opening stages of the match, Sweden fired back a few warning shots. Most notably, Rolfö slammed the crossbar on a brilliant strike from 23rd minute, which was Sweden’s best opportunity in the first half. Australia failed to generate many quality opportunities in the first half as well but appeared to take the lead in the closing stages of the first half as forward Sam Kerr found the back of the net in the 42nd minute. Kerr’s curled shot following a free kick played into the box was disallowed, however, after the referee spotted a foul in the action leading up to the goal.  

Australia held 59 percent possession and outshot Sweden in the first half, but the two sides entered halftime deadlocked at zero. Despite not scoring, Australia accomplished a major feat in becoming the first team to hold Sweden scoreless in the first half at the Olympics.  

Unfortunately, Logarzo and Australia didn’t hold Sweden scoreless for much longer. Early in the second half, a deflected shot from Sweden midfielder Filippa Angeldal bounced awkwardly towards Australia goalkeeper Teagan Micah. Micah was able to parry the ball off the crossbar, but the ball bounced around in the six-yard box before falling to Rolfö. She slammed the ball into the back of the net, giving Sweden a 1-0 lead 40 seconds into the second half.  

The Matildas responded by pressing for an equalizer, but Rolfö’s goal had tilted the match heavily in Sweden’s favor. At one point, Sweden held 65 percent possession to Australia’s 35 percent in the second half, all while the Matildas struggled to test Sweden’s defense. Gustavsson responded by making substitutions, which included removing Logarzo from the match in the 69th minute.  

Australia defender Stephanie Catley had the Matildas’ best chance of the second half, as a long cross found her at the back post in the 74th minute. She attempted to sneak the ball past Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl’s near post, but Lindahl held strong and made the save. Australia continued to push but proved unable to beat Lindahl and the Sweden defense, falling 1-0.  

Sweden had a few opportunities to add an insurance goal late in the second half, but squandered multiple opportunities in front of goal. In the 96th minute, Australia defender Ellie Carpenter received a red card for pulling back Sweden forward Lina Hurtig who was through on goal. Carpenter, one of Australia’s best players in the Olympics, is now suspended for Thursday’s Bronze Medal Match against the United States. 

With fellow Kansas City NWSL midfielder Desiree Scott and Canada already guaranteed an Olympic medal, Logarzo and Australia will look to do the same in a surprise showdown with the United States on Thursday, August 5th. Thursday’s Bronze Medal Match kicks off at 3 a.m. CT on the USA Network.  

YOKOHAMA, Japan (August 2, 2021) — After Kansas City NWSL midfielder Chloe Logarzo impressed as a substitute in Australia’s 4-3 victory over Great Britain in the Olympic Quarterfinal round, she was rewarded with a starting spot in the Matildas’ first-ever semifinal match in a major international tournament against Sweden on Monday morning.  

Despite Logarzo and the Matildas’ best efforts, Australia could not break down a resolute Sweden backline and fell 1-0. A 46th minute goal by Sweden midfielder Fridolina Rolfö scored seconds into second half proved to be the difference, and, unlike Australia’s last match against Great Britain, the Matildas could not pull back a late equalizer. The defeat marked Australia’s second to Sweden in the Tokyo 2021 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, as Sweden defeated Australia 4-2 in Group G play on July 24.  

Lograzo was the only change to Australia manager Tony Gustavsson’s Starting XI following the Great Britian match, and she rewarded Gustavsson with a solid shift in the midfield. She was particularly active in the first half, an opening 45 minutes in which Australia appeared to be on the front foot. Logarzo put in quality work intercepting passes in the midfield, helped launch Australia forward on the counterattack, and was even involved in connecting passes in the final third.  

Even as Australia dominated the opening stages of the match, Sweden fired back a few warning shots. Most notably, Rolfö slammed the crossbar on a brilliant strike from 23rd minute, which was Sweden’s best opportunity in the first half. Australia failed to generate many quality opportunities in the first half as well but appeared to take the lead in the closing stages of the first half as forward Sam Kerr found the back of the net in the 42nd minute. Kerr’s curled shot following a free kick played into the box was disallowed, however, after the referee spotted a foul in the action leading up to the goal.  

Australia held 59 percent possession and outshot Sweden in the first half, but the two sides entered halftime deadlocked at zero. Despite not scoring, Australia accomplished a major feat in becoming the first team to hold Sweden scoreless in the first half at the Olympics.  

Unfortunately, Logarzo and Australia didn’t hold Sweden scoreless for much longer. Early in the second half, a deflected shot from Sweden midfielder Filippa Angeldal bounced awkwardly towards Australia goalkeeper Teagan Micah. Micah was able to parry the ball off the crossbar, but the ball bounced around in the six-yard box before falling to Rolfö. She slammed the ball into the back of the net, giving Sweden a 1-0 lead 40 seconds into the second half.  

The Matildas responded by pressing for an equalizer, but Rolfö’s goal had tilted the match heavily in Sweden’s favor. At one point, Sweden held 65 percent possession to Australia’s 35 percent in the second half, all while the Matildas struggled to test Sweden’s defense. Gustavsson responded by making substitutions, which included removing Logarzo from the match in the 69th minute.  

Australia defender Stephanie Catley had the Matildas’ best chance of the second half, as a long cross found her at the back post in the 74th minute. She attempted to sneak the ball past Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl’s near post, but Lindahl held strong and made the save. Australia continued to push but proved unable to beat Lindahl and the Sweden defense, falling 1-0.  

Sweden had a few opportunities to add an insurance goal late in the second half, but squandered multiple opportunities in front of goal. In the 96th minute, Australia defender Ellie Carpenter received a red card for pulling back Sweden forward Lina Hurtig who was through on goal. Carpenter, one of Australia’s best players in the Olympics, is now suspended for Thursday’s Bronze Medal Match against the United States. 

With fellow Kansas City NWSL midfielder Desiree Scott and Canada already guaranteed an Olympic medal, Logarzo and Australia will look to do the same in a surprise showdown with the United States on Thursday, August 5th. Thursday’s Bronze Medal Match kicks off at 3 a.m. CT on the USA Network.