Ellen White #9 of Team Great Britain looks dejected after the Women's Quarter Final match between Great Britain and Australia on day seven of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Kashima Stadium on July 30, 2021 in Kashima, Ibaraki, Japan.
(Picture: Getty Images)On Friday, Team Great Britain’s women’s football team was eliminated from the Tokyo Olympics after a tough defeat by Australia 4-3 - despite Ellen White’s impressive hat trick in the quarter-finals.
White later took to her Twitter to express her pride in playing with the team, alongside a photo of her looking crushed.
“The pride I feel being a part of this team is beyond words! And to have represented @TeamGB at #tokyo2020 was an honour & a privilege! Thank you for the support,” she wrote.
I am utterly 💔 right now! The pride I feel being a part of this team is beyond words! And to have represented @TeamGB at #tokyo2020 was an honour & a privilege! Thank you for the support ❤️ pic.twitter.com/hj9naDGv5R
— Ellen White (@ellsbells89) July 30, 2021
Team GB also penned a heartfelt message about the upset.
“The passion and the pride. They gave it everything,” they wrote.
The passion and the pride. 🇬🇧
— Team GB (@TeamGB) July 30, 2021
They gave it everything 🥲 pic.twitter.com/G1rSeGtTxh
Inspired by the sweet messages, people took to the comments to express how proud they were of how far the team came despite the loss.
“We’re so, so proud of you all,” someone wrote.
“Unlucky to lose that girls, less said about referee decisions the better. “Well done for all your efforts!” another added.
Others took to the comments to hold her head high and that she should be proud of herself. Check out the responses below.
Hold your head really high you Ellen were phenomenal scoring a hat trick.. unfortunately your captain Steph had a right howler and was at fault for their last 3 goals. Defenders should never back off a forward or turn their back on the ball & then second best for their header.
— Proud to be English (@MarkWhetter68) July 30, 2021
Sorry it didn’t pan out as you wanted. But you showed determination, passion , heart and 3 goals . You left it all on the pitch and no one could ask more You are an Inspiration to me and many your girls .
— lorraine (@lorrain67181447) July 30, 2021
Hold your head high girl , because you so deserve to ❤️❤️
What an amazing tournament you’ve had! Just remember how many children you’ve inspired this time round who now want to score like Ellen White. My daughter was one of those you inspired from the 2019 World Cup and now plays for a local team 2 years on. You’re making this magic ✨
— Amie Metcalfe (@amiemetcalfe) July 30, 2021
You did us proud, as you usually do, and just think of how many women and girls you inspired, throughout #Tokyo2020!
— Carol Bates BEM (@CarolBates) July 30, 2021
You had an amazing tournament and have nothing to feel sorry about. Success on an international stage will come for you hopefully sooner rather than later ❤️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️
— Glen Naylor 💙 (@Glen_Naylor) July 30, 2021
Team GB got off to a good start but faltered as Alanna Kennedy took the lead 10 minutes before the break.
White equalised with a looping header in the second half and a second – her fifth of the tournament - which came nine minutes later to completely turn the game around.
But Australia refused to give up as Kerr exposed weak defence in the 89th minute with a clean finish to deny Hege Riise’s side.
Ellie Carpenter fouled Nikita Parris five minutes into extra time, and a disputed penalty was awarded, but Teagan Micah saved Weir’s kick.
Mary Fowler scored for Australia minutes later with a deflected shot, and Kerr added her second at the start of the second half of extra-time before White finished her a hat trick.
Advancing to the next game, team Australia will now compete against Sweden, who beat Japan 3-1 in the semi-finals on Monday.
