Paris 2024 : Australia 6 - 5 Zambia, Copper queens leave heads high as Kundananji, Banda breath fire

Paris Olympics, 

Sunday, 28 July, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

Perhaps one of the most exiting women's football matches in History, Australian Matildas came from behind to overcome Zambia's Copper queens 6-5 in a thrilling match to secure their first win at the Paris Olympics on Sunday, 28 July 2024 at the Allianz Riviera in Nice. 

The Matildas went behind in the first minute of the game, when striker Barbra Banda found the net.

However Kennedy’s powerful header followed just six minutes later.The Manchester City defender sprung the offside trap before directing the ball into the corner with her head.

Banda grabbed her second of the match in the 33rd minute, rolling home after capitalising on a loose ball.

Former City winger Hayley Raso gave Australia hope just two minutes later, heading home a corner.

That was short lived, with a scrambled finish completing Banda’s hat-trick just moments before the half-time whistle.

Kundananji opened up a three-goal lead for Zambia in the 56th minute before Michelle Heyman and two Steph Catley goals looked to have made it a point apiece.

They were only level for 14 minutes as Rachael Kundananji restored Zambia’s advantage.

Heyman had other ideas, completing the scoring with an incredible 11th goal in a truly unforgettable match.

The victory It means the 2023 World Cup semi-finalists have three points from their two matches in France so far after losing 3-0 to Germany on Thursday.

Australia will qualify for the quarter-finals of this summer’s tournament if they beat USA in their final group game.

That would see them through in the group’s top two but defeat could still earn them one of the two best third placed teams across the three groups.

In other Olympic Games Women's football results, World cup champions Spain defeated Nigeria 1-0 thanks to Alexia Putellas 85th minute winner. 

Brazil suffered a two minute heartbreak at they were upset by a 2-1 comeback from Japan while Colombia beat New Zealand 2-0.