The former Ballarat Red Devils star was a late substitute in a game where Australia was let to rue individual errors.

American phenom Megan Rapinoe scored directly from a corner in the eight minute to give the world champions and early lead.

Sam Kerr drew the Australians level 10 minutes later, becoming Australia's all-time leading scorer with 48 goals.

Rapinoe found a second goal in the 21^st minute, before a Carli Lloyd effort in injury time gave the Americans a 3-1 lead at half-time.

The American legend added another in the 51^st minute to seemingly put the game to bed.

Caitilin Foord kept the Matildas in the game with a pinpoint header in the 54^th minute, before a Emily Gielnik thunderbolt in the 90^th made for a nervous end.

Ultimately, the valiant Matildas couldn't snatch a result against the world's number-one ranked side, closing the curtains on a historic trip to Tokyo.

The bronze medal match was the furthest any Australian soccer team, men or women, had progressed at the Olympics.

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