Australia have produced a defensive masterclass to advance to the semi-finals with an 18-0 win over the USA at Stade de France.
The Australians had never made it past the quarter-finals at an Olympics but came into the game in red-hot form thanks to a 22-14 win over Argentina.
This set up a clash with the dangerous Americans, who drew with hosts France and thumped Uruguay to ensure their place as the highest-ranked third-place finisher.
USA built pressure early with little success as the Australian defence set the narrative of the contest.
It created the first chance of the half as they won a quick tap, with captain Nick Malouf quick to fire it to an overlap. From here, Nathan Lawson drew the defender and put James Turner for the opener.
America looked for an answer before the break but Henry Hutchison delivered a crucial break after the halftime siren.
Hutchison somehow kept his body in to pop back inside for Corey Toole to score for a 10-0 half-time lead despite USA conjectures they played the ball on the ground.
In the second half, the Australians' smothering defence ensured the ball rarely left the USA 22.
Flyer Corey Toole looked to have scored in the corner with three minutes remaining, only for his boot to graze the touchline.
Minute by minute, the USA would throw everything into exiting their 22, only to be met by a gold wall.
They won a crucial penalty with 90 seconds to go, allowing Maurice Longbottom to slot a penalty that just snuck in for a 13-0 unassailable lead.
Longbottom sealed the win after the siren as the pressure led to a loose ball for a try after the siren.
It books a date with two-time Olympic champions Fiji in the semi-finals at midnight, July 28 (AEST).
The Fijians have never been beaten at an Olympics, overcoming a 15-7 deficit to takedown Ireland 19-15.
