Matildas pull off stunning comeback to beat Zambia 6-5 in second Paris Olympics group game

The Matildas have kept their quest for an Olympic medal alive after an incredible come-from-behind win over Zambia in the second group game in Nice. The Matildas had a mountain to climb within the first minute of the match, with striker Banda scoring the first goal of the game in just the 40th second, turning past defender Clare Hunt just outside the box and rocketing a strike over the outstretched arms of Mackenzie Arnold. Australia equalised five minutes later, with a looping free kick from captain Steph Catley sailing over Zambia's entire defensive line and onto the head of Alanna Kennedy, who headed low and hard into the bottom corner of the net to make it 1-1. Zambia would take the lead once again in the 20th minute as winger Rachael Kundananji, who became the world's most expensive woman footballer after joining Bay FC in the United States earlier this year, received a through-ball down the left wing, exploiting the space behind Ellie Carpenter before shooting low and hard across Arnold's goal and into the net via the back post. Zambia's starting players began to fade from the 70th minute, though Banda posed a constant threat, making charging runs through Australia's backline and delivering dangerous balls into the Matildas' box.