The Matildas threw everything into the Olympics. So, what happens now?

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It's game time on the women's soccer at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and die-hard Australian Matildas fans have been tuning in during the 'wee hours' to watch the Tilly's fight for their country.

Of course, the squad had a challenge with captain Sam Kerr still on the sidelines, recovering from a ruptured ACL.

However, in true Matildas fashion, the entire squad put their all into the group stages. From goalie Mackenzie Arnold to forward Mary Fowler, we've got all the info you need to know (including what will happen following their loss to the USA in the group stages).

Here's everything you need to know. 

Watch: The story behind the Matildas mural on the iconic Bondi Beach Sea Wall. Post continues after video.

What are women's soccer group pools at the 2024 Olympics?

The Olympics women's soccer tournament starts out with countries being put into group playoffs, or 'pools'. Essentially, you need to play against the people within your group in order to get to the next stage, the finals. 

The group pools were as follows: 

• Group A: France, Colombia, Canada, New Zealand

• Group B: USA, Zambia, Germany, Australia

• Group C: Spain, Japan, CAF 1, Brazil

Australia was part of Group B, which means that they needed to face up against soccer heavyweights, the USA and Germany. 

The group stage works on a points system (three for a win, one for a draw, and zero for a loss). The top two teams within the group automatically go to the knockout finals (in our case, USA and Germany), and the two best-ranked third-place teams will also get an opportunity.

What are Australia's group-stage opponents like? 

The United States are historically a strong soccer team, having come third in the delayed Tokyo Olympics and ranked number 5 in the FIFA world rankings. 

Meanwhile, Zambia came 9th in Tokyo and is ranked number 64 in the FIFA world rankings. Germany are ranked number 4 in the FIFA world rankings and were eliminated in the quarter-finals in Tokyo. 

What is the Matildas Olympic schedule like in 2024? 

Image: Getty.

Here you'll find the dates and times that the Matildas played in the Olympics, in Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST). 

• July 26 - Germany v Australia, Stade de Marseille, 3am. SCORE: Lost. 3-0.

• July 29 - Australia v Zambia, Stade de Nice, 3am. SCORE: Won. 6-5.

• August 1 - Australia v United States, Stade de Marseille, 3am. SCORE: Lost. 2-1.

What happens now for the Matildas, and can they get to the quarter-finals?

Finishing the group stage, the Matildas did not qualify as one of the two top teams in their group, as they lost to both USA and Germany. Their only chance to advance to the quarter-finals was if they were one of the best-ranked third-place teams.

There were multiple permutations for this to happen, namely if Canada lost to New Zealand, but they ended up winning 1-0. 

This means that unfortunately the Matildas have finished as the lowest-ranked third place team and are officially out of the competition. 

Despite the scorching heat in Marseille, our girls battled right to the end, with Alanna Kennedy scoring the first goal during injury time. She nearly got another one through but unfortunately time was not on their side. With other results in the tough pool not going their way, it meant the end of their Paris campaign. 

There's no denying that our girls will be disappointed by that result, but they fought every second of that game and should be proud of their efforts for our country. They'll likely have some downtime before embarking on their next big competition.

When are the women's soccer finals for the 2024 Paris Olympics? 

They are scheduled to take place as follows (AEST):  

• Quarter-finals - August 3-4
  USA v Japan -11pm
  Spain v Colombia -1am
  Canada v Germany - 3am
  France v Brazil - 5am

• Semi-finals - August 5 at 2am

• Bronze medal match - August 8 at 11pm

• Gold medal match - August 11 at 1am

How long is the women's soccer at Paris 2024 played?

The women's soccer starts early in the Olympic schedule, on July 26.

It will end on August 11, with the gold medal match taking place at Parc des Princes in Paris.

Who is in the Matildas Olympic squad for 2024?

Image: Getty.

Countries are allowed to name 18 players and four alternates in their squads, should someone become injured throughout the tournament. The Matildas Olympic squad, as picked by their coach Tony Gustavsson and announced in June, is as follows: 

• Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold, Teagan Micah

• Defenders: Steph Catley (captain), Ellie Carpenter (vice captain), Alanna Kennedy, Clare Hunt, Clare Polkinghorne, Kaitlyn Torpey

• Midfielders: Emily van Egmond (vice captain), Clare Wheeler, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Katrina Gorry, Tameka Yallop

• Forwards: Caitlin Foord, Cortnee Vine, Hayley Raso, Mary Fowler, Michelle Heyman

• Four alternates: Lydia Williams, Charlotte Grant, Sharn Freier, Courtney Nevin

Where to watch the Matildas play the Olympics?

You can watch all of the Matildas games on Channel Nine and Stan Sport.

What else to know about the Olympics:

When are the 2024 Paris Games? 

They will take place from Friday, July 26 to Sunday, August 11, 2024. 

What is the time difference between Paris and Australia?

The eastern seaboard is eight hours ahead of Paris, while Adelaide and Darwin are 7.5 hours ahead and Perth is 6 hours ahead. 

How many times has Paris hosted the Olympics? 

Paris will be the second city to host the games three times (1900, 1924 and 2024), after London claimed that title first in 2012. 

Read more on the 2024 Olympics:

• Everything you need to know about watching the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Feature image: Getty.

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