Women’s World Cup: Australia see off France after penalty shootout
Australia have reached the Women’s World Cup semi-finals for the first time after a stunning penalty shootout win against France.
The co-hosts won 7-6 in the shootout after neither team were able to break the deadlock after two hours of football.
Cortnee Vine scored the winning penalty in sudden death of the shootout after Vicki Becho had hit the post for France.
Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold made four saves in the shootout. She even had a chance to score the winning penalty, but struck the post with Australia’s fifth penalty.
The Matildas will play either England or Colombia in the semi-final on Wednesday.
France had the better chances of the opening stages, with Maelle Lakrar missing the target from close range and Eugenie Le Sommer forcing Arnold into a diving save.
Lakrar saw a second shot tipped behind by the Australia goalkeeper to keep the game goalless.
Australia could have taken the lead just before half time though. Emily van Egmond found Mary Fowler with an open goal but defender Elisa de Almeida made a superb sliding block to bail out goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.
Sam Kerr was introduced just before the hour mark as the Australia captain continued her comeback from injury, and she immediately caused problems for the France defence by setting up Hayley Raso to test Peyraud-Magnin from close range.
France thought they had made the breakthrough in extra time when Alanna Kennedy headed into her own net from a corner, but the goal was disallowed due to a Wendie Renard foul.
Arnold was called into action to keep out a Becho effort before Steph Catley blocked on the line to force the shootout.
France boss Herve Renard sent on substitute goalkeeper Solene Durand for the penalty shootout and she saved from Catley, Arnold and Clare Hunt.
Misses from Selma Bacha, Eve Perisset and Kenza Dali meant that the shootout went deep into sudden death.
When Becho struck the post, Vine stepped up to score the winning penalty and send Australia through to the semi-finals.
Cover Photo: Flying the Flag by Mertie used under license by CC BY 2.0.
