Sam Kerr, who starred without reward against Canada, took just six minutes to put that right this time stunning the European champions and setting up a thrilling game in São Paulo. Given far too much room by a retreating Tabea Kemme, Kerr steered the ball past Schult at her near post after a dramatic surge by Caitlin Foord from the halfway line broke the German defensive line.

This set the tone for an end-to-end encounter. Anya Mittag turned inside two Australian defenders in the 37th minute before forcing a flying save from Lydia Williams at full stretch. Katrina Gorry then wasted a wonderful opportunity to score a second Australian breaking clear after Lisa De Vanna dispossessed Bartusiak but screwing the shot narrowly wide. Behringer tested Williams from long-range before Foord doubled Australia’s lead on the stroke of half time poking the ball under Schult from close range after an impudent piece of skill by Lisa De Vanna on the touchline left Annike Krahn standing. However, Australia failed to protect their two-goal advantage conceding immediately. Sara Däbritz brilliantly chipped Germany back into the game with the outside of her left foot in first half stoppage time from Alexandra Popp’s lay off. It was to prove a decisive moment in the match.

In the second half, Australia missed several clear opportunities to score a decisive third goal. German full back Leonie Meier made a superb block to smother Caitlin Foord’s shot as she broke away just after the hour. Shortly after Foord volleyed over under pressure from Kemme. Michelle Heyman, on for De Vanna, produced the best from German keeper Schult who tipped her strike around the post. Schult then threw out straight to Kerr, who off balance, sliced horribly wide of a gaping goal.

Germany had created little in the second half but had not lost an Olympic group stage match in 20 years. They maintained that proud record with an 88th minute equalizer. Behringer’s left wing free kick was forced over the line from close range by German captain, Saskia Bartusiak’s left hip at the back post. It is a point that makes German qualification almost certain but leaves The Matildas ruing their own profligacy and needing to beat Zimbabwe on Tuesday to stay in the tournament.