Thrilling Showdown: Australia Shocks France in Nail-biting Penalty Shootout to Secure Women's World Cup Semi-Finals!
Making history, Australia triumphs over France in a tense penalty shootout, securing their spot in the Women's World Cup semi-finals Stay tuned for the upcoming schedule!
Australia's co-hosts triumphed over France, claiming a 7-6 victory on penalties to secure a place in the Women's World Cup semi-finals for the first time. Despite a goalless quarter-final match, Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold's heroic saves, coupled with Cortnee Vine's successful final penalty kick, propelled the team to a thrilling win. As a result, Australia will now face England in the semi-finals, with England's own triumph over Colombia on the same day.
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.
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Spain and Sweden will face off in Auckland on Tuesday to compete for the remaining spot in the final. France, aiming to reach the semi-finals for the second time since 2011, dominated the first half and extra time. However, their regrettable missed opportunities will now send them back home.
Mary Fowler of Australia missed multiple chances, including one that was saved by Elisa de Almeida's impressive block. Australia's captain, Sam Kerr, also failed to get a clear shot on goal after coming on as a substitute in the 55th minute. France controlled possession for a significant portion of the game and had the better opportunities early on, with Maelle Lakrar wasting a golden chance to score from a corner in the 12th minute.
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.
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France were unable to breach Australia's defences in 120 minutes of football
Kerr received a warm welcome when she joined the game in the 55th minute. Her initial move forward created an opportunity for Hayley Raso to unleash a powerful long-range shot that France's starting goalkeeper, Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, impressively saved. Despite the surge caused by the entrance of the Australia captain, France managed to withstand the pressure, and their 19-year-old substitute, Becho, quickly posed a threat on the opposite side.
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.
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Australia's goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold had a dramatic shootout - missing a penalty and saving three, including one retaken effort
In the 100th minute, Australia's Alanna Kennedy inadvertently scored an own goal while under the scrutiny of Wendy Renard. However, the goal was disallowed due to a foul committed by France captain on Caitlin Foord. During the second period, France dominated the game, and Becho took a powerful shot from outside the box in the 107th minute, but goalkeeper Arnold made a remarkable save.
What's next?
In the shootout, her heroics continued as she successfully saved penalties from Kenza Dali twice. However, her first save was invalidated because she moved off the line before the penalty was taken.Australia will face England in the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup. The match is scheduled for Wednesday, August 16 and will begin at 11am.
