Grayslake’s Albert scores goal that gives U.S. women’s soccer a victory in final game of group play

Grayslake's Korbin Albert scored the decisive goal in a 2-1 United States women's soccer victory over Australia on Wednesday in Paris.

Converting a turnover from an Australian defender, the 2022 All-American at Notre Dame gave Team USA a 2-0 lead at the 77-minute mark at Marseille Stadium.

Albert received the errant pass and curled a 22-yard shot off the fingertips of leaping goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold into the upper-left corner of the net.

A 20-year-old midfielder in her first Olympics, Albert became the first United States woman to score her first international goal in the Olympics.

What looked to be an insurance goal became the game-winner when Australia's Alanna Kennedy scored one minute into second-half extra time.

Trinity Rodman's goal at the 43-minute mark had the United States leading 1-0 at halftime.

The United States, which led Group B with a 3-0 record and 9 points, advanced to a quarterfinal at 8 a.m. Saturday against Japan at Parc des Princes. Japan finished behind undefeated Spain in group play at 2-1.

Albert and defender Casey Krueger, a Naperville Central graduate competing in her second Olympic Games, both entered Wednesday's match at the 65-minute mark.

Shortly after Albert's goal, under strong countering pressure by Australia, Krueger blocked a shot before it reached USA goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who plays club soccer for the Chicago Red Stars. The Aussies maintained pressure until the last moments of extra time, when Naeher punched out a corner kick by Steph Catley.