Olympic Recap: Rapinoe Shines in United States Bronze Winner

In a hard-fought battle, the United States ended their 2020 Olympic run with their strongest performance of the tournament. OL Reign midfielder Rose Lavelle came in as a substitute in the 61st minute of the match, while Megan Rapinoe started and played 61 minutes. Rapinoe had a standout game for team USA, as the 36-year-old scored the first two goals of the game for the United States, earning herself a brace 21 minutes into the match. 

Australia vs. United States  

After a devastating Olympic semifinal loss to Canada, the United States came to the bronze medal match on the front foot. OL Reign forward Megan Rapinoe opened the scoring of the match in the eighth minute, scoring directly from a corner kick just as she did in the 2012 Olympic quarterfinals. The eighth minute Olimpico is the quickest goal scored in an Olympic bronze medal match. 

Australia remained competitive in the match, searching for an equalizer. Australia’s Sam Kerr capitalized on a defensive error and tied the game 1-1 in the 17th minute. That score line did not hold for long though. Rapinoe retook the lead for United States in the 21st minute with a beautiful volley from a misplayed Australia pass inside the box. 

Attempting to run away with the game, the United States pressed on, scoring one more goal before halftime. Carli Lloyd took an incredible first touch to set up a powerful left-footed shot past the Australian goalkeeper. 

At the start of the second half, Lloyd added another goal with a collected finish from the middle of the box in the 51st minute. Almost immediately, Australia answered back. Kyah Simon served a cross into the box and Caitlin Foord headed the ball into the back of the net in the 54th minute. 

Just as the game drew to a close and it looked like the U.S. had earned the 4-2 win, Australia struck again. In the 90th minute, Emily Gielnik blasted a right footed shot from 25 yards out into the back of the net. The United States fought hard to hang on to their one goal lead through stoppage time. The referee blew the final whistle and the United States celebrated their first ever Olympic bronze medal. 

Rapinoe’s two goals marked her eighth and ninth of 2021 for the U.S., the most on the team and matching her career for goals in a calendar year. Rapinoe also became the first player in United States history to have multi-goal games at the Olympics. She also scored twice in the 2012 Olympic semifinals against Canada.