The Matildas' looming Olympic opponents, the United States, will enter the Paris Games after a grim scoreless draw with Costa Rica in their final warm-up game.
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The draw was played in intense heat in Washington and marks the second time the US haven't won their last tune-up for a major tournament.
The US, four-time Olympic gold medallists, are grouped with Australia, Germany and Zambia in Paris - they play the Matildas in the final group game.
Against Costa Rica, the goals didn't come on Tuesday night but the Americans showed they could handle the kind of high temperatures that could await in Paris later this month.
"If we can play in this, it gives us confidence going into France, for sure," defender Casey Krueger said.
It was 37 Celsius at kickoff after Washington tied the hottest day on record in the nation's capital at 40C hours earlier.
Temperatures hovered around 35C when the match was over.
US coach Emma Hayes said it was a timely challenge for her players, given the forecast for nearly this level of heat during upcoming Olympic group fixtures in Marseilles.
"That's added value," Hayes said.
"It's perfect preparation ... this is a great opportunity for us to experience what we're going to face."
It played a role in Rose Lavelle being a precautionary late scratching because of groin tightness in the warm-up.
"No risks," Hayes said.
"She was a bit tight in her groin and I took no risks. ... I want to go into the Olympics with everybody available."
The US generated plenty of chances - 26 shots total and 12 on goal - but were repeatedly denied by Costa Rica goaltender Noelia Bermúdez.
Costa Rica, which didn't qualify for the Olympics, sat back and had no shots on goal with just two attempts.
The Americans, who won bronze at the Tokyo Games three years ago, vowed to find another level in Paris after the stalemate.
"I'd rather it now than at the Olympics," captain Lindsey Horan said.
"We're going to keep working and I know these opportunities are going to come and we're going to finish them off come the next game."
Australian Associated Press
