A treble from prima Sam Kerr and a superb punishment prevention from goalkeeper Teagan Micah person lifted the Matildas to a drama-filled 4-3 extra-time triumph implicit Great Britain and a first-ever Olympics semi-final berth.
Kerr had been kept quiescent for astir of the nighttime but came to Australia's rescue conscionable erstwhile they needed her most, with her 89th-minute extremity levelling their quarter-final astatine 2-2 to nonstop the clash astatine Kashima Stadium to extra-time.
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A frantic 10 minutes past ensued.
The Brits were awarded a arguable punishment erstwhile Ellie Carpenter was ruled to person brought down Nikita Parris successful the box.
Replays showed determination was minimal contact.
But Micah produced a superb prevention to prevention Caroline Weir's punishment shot, diving to her left.
Only a fewer minutes later, 18-year-old Mary Fowler - acknowledgment to a fortunate deflection - enactment the Matildas up 3-2 with a beauteous left-foot onslaught past Kerr doubled the vantage with a header.
That extremity moved Kerr level with Lisa De Vanna arsenic the astir prolific goalscorer successful Matildas' history, with 47 from 97 matches.
Australia had astir 13 minutes to support retired the Brits.
But Ellen White, Manchester City's classy striker, grabbed her hat-trick erstwhile she headed location from the six-yard container with conscionable 5 minutes remaining successful extra-time to guarantee a nail-biting finale.
The Aussies held steadfast for a memorable victory, celebrating wildly successful the humid conditions arsenic they borderline person to an Olympic medal.
Matildas centre-back Alanna Kennedy scored Australia's archetypal extremity erstwhile she banged successful a header successful the 34th infinitesimal from a corner.
"I really can't explicate however arrogant I americium to beryllium a portion of this squad and to pb this squad out," said a jubilant Kerr afterwards.
"Every time they astonishment me. We've been done truthful overmuch arsenic a team. I haven't seen immoderate of these girls for astir 2 years and we travel retired and bushed teams that person played unneurotic for truthful long.
"I'm truthful arrogant of everyone. It's a squad effort.
"We consciousness the emotion from home. We are doing everything to marque you guys proud. We felt it today. Let's spell the mighty Aussies!"
The Matildas look Sweden successful Monday's semi-final successful Yokohama aft they bushed big federation Japan 3-1.
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