2024 Paris Olympics: U.S. women upset Australia to claim landmark bronze in rugby sevens

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The United States women's rugby sevens team has won a landmark bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Americans upset Australia 14-12, scoring just as time ran out. This is the first women's rugby medal for USA Rugby in Olympics history.

It was a tight first half. Both teams scored a try and a conversion, with their defenses displaying the strength that got them into this bronze medal match in the first place.

There was more scoring in the second half, which is when it started falling apart for the Australians. They began by missing what appeared to be an easy try, keeping the score tied as the clock ran down from the seven-minute mark. Australia managed to tax Team USA's defense enough to get a try score, but it missed the conversion. That cost it two points, and it would quickly come to regret it.

The death blow came in the final 15 seconds. Australia kicked it deep after its missed conversion, and initially it looked like it was over. The U.S. was a shocking 85 meters from its own goal, and time was running out. But then Alex Sedrick got hold of the ball and found an opening of solid green in front of her, and she went for it. She was still running when time expired, but just like in American football, if a play is in motion when the clock ends, the play has to run its course before the game is over. The points counted.

If the kick hadn't been good, who knows what would have happened. The game would have gone into sudden death and it's possible the U.S. wouldn't have won.

But the kick was good. It sailed through, and the U.S. women claimed their first medal of any kind in rugby. With their breakout success and the incredible amount of attention they've received, this win could change USA women's rugby forever.