Australia v Zambia: Paris 2024 Olympic Games women’s football

Key events

72 min: Heyman has been a great introduction to this game, she has added a fiery spark that was lacking in this Matildas team. Apologies for not announcing her arrival, I was about to and then there was goal after goal.

70 min: Australia have a corner and Fowler takes it. It’s dealt with and Banda tries to counter quickly but Australia close her down well.

69 min: Zambia need to slow the pace of this game down, Australia are completely running away with it at the moment. The team have completely clicked into place.

67 min: Australia come forward again but Foord’s effort is over the bar. Zambia make a change with Zulu off for Chileshe.

66 min: Musole got her hands to it but the power of the ball saw it keep going and to the back of the net. Are Australia about to stage one of the biggest comebacks of all time?

GOAL! Australia 4-5 Zambia (Catley, 65)

What a goal!

64 min: Zambia may have got away with that goal but Australia are really upping the pressure here, they have a free kick now.

NO GOAL! Australia 3-5 Zambia

It has been ruled out because the keeper was fouled.

62 min: I believe they are looking if Musole was fouled in the build-up from Heyman.

61 min: Hang on there’s a goal check now.

GOAL! Australia 4-5 Zambia (Foord, 60)

Defensive errors.

59 min: Heyman has only been on for a few seconds, she tried to backheel it but Mweemba tries to clear it off of the line but it hits the keeper and goes in. What is this game?!

GOAL! Australia 3-5 Zambia (Mweemba OG)

Oh my.

GOAL! Australia 2-5 Zambia (Kundananji, 57)

Zambia have a free kick and Banda is standing over it. She puts in a great delivery to Kundananji who heads home.

56 min: Some Matildas fans are not happy with the side. Dechlan Brennan has emailed and said:

I can’t remember the Matilda’s ever being this leggy and slow. They had plenty of prep but there were signs in the warm up, and then in the first game against Germany. It can’t just be no Sam Kerr

I think on this occasion they have been stunned by the pace and tactics Zambia are presenting them. There are also some Australian players not having their best outing, namely Carpenter and Arnold.

54 min: Oh my word, how did that not go in? A long range effort comes in from Australia but Musole manages to scoop it out. Foord then pops it back in but the keeper is there again.

52 min: The pace on this game has slowed drastically in the last few minutes, just settling into this second half. Australia need to make sure they are the next to score.

50 min: Australia are yet to throw a punch in this second half and Zambia are the next to pop off a shot, this time through Kundananji but it is wide.

48 min: Zambia have a corner from the save but it’s deflected out for another corner. It comes in again but it’s over the head of Banda and cleared.

47 min: I don’t believe there have been any half-time changes. Australia almost score immediately, as they did in the first half, Arnold makes a huge save from Mupopo.

Back underway! Australia 2-4 Zambia

Will we get more goals? Or will Zambia seal this win with this scoreline? All to come.

The two Zambian stars in the spotlight ahead of the game were Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji and they have both delivered so far. Banda with three goals, Kundananji with the other and some silky skills.

Barbra Banda’s hat-trick is her seventh international hat-trick. It is her third Olympic hat-trick.

Half-time: Australia 2-4 Zambia

What. A. Game. This has turned into a thrilling encounter with six first-half goals. Barbra Banda opened the scoring in the first minute but Australia responded. Zambia then went 3-1 up but Australia replied again only for Banda to finish the first half scoring.

45 + 3 min: Van Egmond tried to head the ball clear in the box but it went into Banda’s path and from there she doesn’t miss. What an utterly impressive talent she is.

GOAL! Australia 2-4 Zambia (Banda, 45 + 2)

A first half hat-trick for Banda. Banda had a shot but it is deflected out for a corner. The delivery was good but it was frantic in the box and Banda converts.

45 + 1 min: What a brilliant save from Musole, Foord had a one-on-one with the keeper out of position but she still makes the save and Zambia clear. Wow. There will be four minutes added.

44 min: Raso with a good run down the left, she crosses in but it is headed away. It comes back in but it’s well defended again, Australia are really cranking up the pressure here. Foord has a lovely bit of skill and she takes the ball around a defender and she takes a shot but Musole reads it well once more to save.

42 min: Arnold looks absolutely fuming, she must be frustrated about conceding three and her goal is still be peppered with chances. This is such a thrilling encounter.

40 min: Kundananji, who has been a good spark for Zambia, makes another good run but a cross comes straight to Arnold. Australia launch their own attack and they are quick about it, a shot comes off but Musole is wise to it and saves.

38 min: Zambia have a free kick from halfway and they are launching it upfield, they want to restore the two-goal lead. Australia defend well initially but Zambia still have it.

36 min: Australia won a corner and they have looked deadly from the set piece. The delivery was good and Raso converts. Which way will this one go.