Despite all logic, the Matildas are still alive at the Olympics.
They looked down and out for much of their match against Zambia, before they pulled off a miraculous comeback to stay in the hunt for a place in the quarter-finals.
Their performances have been anything but convincing, and they will need to improve significantly if they are to be a threat in the latter part of the Games should they make it that far.
Their loss to the USA this morning does make their task more difficult,
The Sporting News looks at the scenarios of how the Matildas can make the knockout rounds at the Olympics.
MORE: Matildas key players at Olympics | Matildas next match
Group B standings at 2024 Olympics
| Pos. | Country | Pld. | W | D | L | GD | Pts. |
| 1 | USA | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | +7 | 9 |
| 2 | Germany | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | +3 | 6 |
| 3 | Australia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 3 |
| 4 | Zambia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -5 | 0 |
The Matildas finished third in Group B, three points behind Germany in second, and six points behind group winners USA.
As a result, their fate was going to be left to other results.
Did the Matildas qualify for Olympic knockout stage
The Matildas failed to qualify for the knockout stages, with Canada's 1-0 victory over Colombia meaning Australia was the worst third placed team in the tournament.
Australia needed to get at least a draw against the USA if they were to guarantee their passage to the quarter-finals, however they could only muster a 2-1 loss, meaning they were at the mercy of Canada.
Canada had already won two games at the tournament, but their spy drone scandal meant they were docked six points and had to beat Colombia to progress as one of the top two third placed teams.
After a tense first half, Canada took the lead after the break after Vanessa Gilles scored from a corner.
Canada were then able to hold on for a 1-0 victory, seeing them leapfrog Australia due to their superior goal difference, and saw them continue their defence of their gold medal.
The Matildas meanwhile head home, and fail to progress to the knockout rounds for the first time since 2000.
