The Matildas had a disappointing start at the 2024 Paris Olympics, suffering a 3-0 loss to Germany in Marseille, impacting their Olympic campaign.

Despite the setback, the Matildas aim to bounce back in their upcoming matches against Zambia and the United States, relying on their 'never say die' attitude and historical resilience to salvage their Olympic campaign.

Coach Tony Gustavsson faced challenges with injuries but fielded a full-strength starting XI for the match against Germany.

Gustavsson's impassioned halftime talk briefly improved Australia's performance, but Germany ultimately outplayed them, scoring three quick goals in the second half.

Despite prior defensive strength on set-pieces, the Matildas conceded goals from corners in the match, contributing to their defeat.

Germany dominated possession and showcased their attacking prowess, exploiting set-pieces to score goals against Australia.

Germany's victory was sealed with two headed goals from corners by Marina Hegering and Lea Schueller, with Jule Brand standing out as a key player.

The Matildas face a challenging path to qualify for the quarter-finals, needing wins against Zambia and the United States in the group stage.

The potential ramifications of not finishing in the top two in the group stage could lead to facing tough opponents like reigning World Cup champions Spain in the quarter-finals.

Despite facing challenges, the Matildas still have a chance to progress in the tournament, with their next match against Zambia being crucial.

Defensive errors, especially conceding goals from set-pieces, played a significant role in Australia being outplayed by Germany.

Despite the loss, there are positives to build on, such as individual player performances like Katrina Gorry's strong display in midfield.