Women’s World Cup co-hosts reach semi-finals after dramatic penalty shootout
Cortnee Vine scored Australia’s winning penalty in a shootout versus France; Mackenzie Arnold saved three penalties and missed herself; the game was scoreless after 120 minutes; In Wednesday’s semi-final, Australia will face either England or Colombia.
Women’s World Cup co-hosts reach semi-finals after dramatic penalty shootout
Co-hosts Australia beat France 7-6 on penalties to reach the last four of the Women’s World Cup for the first time after their quarter-final finished goalless.
In a dramatic shootout, Australia keeper Mackenzie Arnold saved three French penalties and missed one herself, with Cortnee Vine coming up to convert the game-winning penalty to send Australia into a semi-final against England or Colombia.
The substitute winger raced back towards the centre circle to celebrate with her team mates as the stadium and fan zones around the country exploded in delight.
Hang it in the Louvre 🖼️#Matildas #FIFAWWC #TilitsDone pic.twitter.com/5nZAavnILD
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) August 12, 2023
Spain will face Sweden in Auckland on Tuesday for the other spot in the final.
France, seeking to reach the semi-finals for the second time after 2011, got the better of the first half and extra-time but will be disappointed with some squandered opportunities as they head home.
Australia‘s Mary Fowler had earlier missed numerous chances, one of which was foiled by a spectacular block from Elisa de Almeida, and skipper Sam Kerr was unable to obtain a clear shot on goal after coming on as a 55th-minute substitute.
France dominated possession for much of the game and had the best early chances, with Maelle Lakrar missing a fantastic opportunity from a corner in the 12th minute to give Les Bleues the lead.
Australia’s only early chances came against the run of play from set-pieces but Fowler had as many as six as the game opened up around half-time.
Kerr joined the game to a standing ovation in the 55th minute, her initial charge forward creating space for Hayley Raso to hit a rasping long-range shot that France’s starting goalie Pauline Peyraud-Magnin did well to save.
France, on the other hand, withstood the tempest sparked by the introduction of Australia’s captain, and their 19-year-old substitute Becho was soon threatening down the other end.
The last 15 minutes of normal time was a tense but ragged affair with half chances at both ends, a theme reprised in the first half of extra-time.
Alanna Kennedy of Australia knocked the ball into her own net in the 100th minute, but France captain Wendy Renard was penalized for a foul on Caitlin Foord.
France got the better of the second half, with Becho unleashing a drive from the edge of the box that goalie Arnold saved superbly in the 107th minute.
That was merely a warm-up for her heroics in the shootout, when she twice saved penalties from Kenza Dali, with her first save being struck off because she stepped off the line before the penalty was taken.
What’s next?
Australia will place England or Colombia in the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup. The game will be played on Wednesday August 16 with kick-off at 11am.
