The Matildas’ Olympic campaign got off to the worst possible start after Tony Gustavsson’s side were beaten 3-0 by Germany.
There were high hopes for the Australians before kick-off, with fans optimistic that Steph Catley’s side could emulate their brilliant World Cup campaign in France.
However, those expectations were dealt a blow when the world number four-ranked Germans mercilessly defeated their Group B rivals in Marseille.
This puts the Australians in a defensive position ahead of their remaining two group matches against the United States and Zambia, with the top two teams qualifying for the knockout stage.
They could go through if they can become one of the two best performing teams in third place, but their -3 goal difference could hamper those chances.
The World Cup semi-finalists, seeking their first Olympic medal, simply could not find their rhythm against the accomplished former champions in Marseille on Thursday, on the eve of the start of the Games in Paris, 750 kilometres away.
Germany, inspired by their brilliant winger Jule Brand, could have won by an even bigger margin and the heavy setback in Group B leaves Gustavsson’s team immediately on the back foot in a tough group that also includes a powerful US team.
This means they must win their next match against Zambia in Nice on Sunday and they will need to improve dramatically.
The Matildas had a terrible start to their Olympic campaign in France
World number 4 Germany dominated the Australians and won 3-0 in Marseille
The Matildas barely created a valuable chance, any decent approach work was thwarted by poor build-up, and the Germans were decisive winners with two headed goals from Marina Hegering and Lea Schueller from corners, before Brand fittingly completed the most comprehensive of victories.
The Australians, who had suffered a major blow earlier with an injury that forced Tameka Yallop out of the team, were quickly alerted to the danger of the excellent Brand, who managed to fire home in the fourth minute after Kyra Cooney-Cross was robbed in midfield.
Shortly afterwards, a quick and terrific pass from German goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger found Brand again, who cut back to Katrina Gorry and should have scored, but shot high and inelegant.
The Matildas contributed to a lively first quarter but their high line left them vulnerable to counter-attacks, and Cortnee Vine had to make a key interception to prevent Giulia Gwinn from volleying in to put the Germans ahead.
However, by the 24th minute the opening goal looked inevitable when Gwinn’s pinpoint corner to the far post was met by a perfectly timed downward header from Hegering, who had pushed her way past Ellie Carpenter.
Mary Fowler, who had an ineffective night in attack, almost responded immediately afterwards but was dispossessed as she turned into the fire in the box, and the Tillies had a couple of speculative efforts through Caitlin Foord.
The Germans could have gone even further before the break, however, but Sjoeke Nusken was halted by an excellent save from captain Steph Catley, who had won her fitness battle.
Luck was on the side of the Australians and their defence was again torn apart early in the second half when Brand took the ball from Clare Hunt, which set up Alex Popp, whose shot was brilliantly blocked by Alanna Kennedy.
Matildas captain Steph Catley barks orders to her team as they go down without a fight.
The Australians were again undone by a Gwinn corner in the 64th minute, when Schueller was left unmarked and headed in from six metres.
Brand was rewarded for her brilliance by scoring four minutes later after a superb team move, started by goalkeeper Berger, tore through the green and gold defence.
The Germans had a fourth goal ruled out for offside soon after and threatened to inflict further damage on the Tillies, who pressed in vain for a consolation goal after introducing Michelle Heyman, surviving an even worse fate.