Co-hosts Australia cheer for their “Matildas” at the Women’s World Cup. Head coach Tony Gustafsson’s team made it into a World Cup semi-final for the first time after beating France 7-6 on penalties. In front of almost 50,000 completely enthusiastic spectators in Brisbane, Cortnee Vine converted the last penalty against the unfortunate “Équipe Tricolore” on Saturday, who, like in 2019, failed in the quarterfinals. No goals were scored in regular time and extra time.
Australia will now fight next Wednesday against the winners of the game between European champions England and Colombia, who will meet this Saturday (12.30 p.m. CEST in the FAZ live ticker for the women’s soccer World Cup and on ZDF) for a place in the final. In the other semi-final, Spain and Sweden will play against each other on Tuesday in Auckland (10:00 a.m. CEST in the FAZ live ticker for the women’s World Cup).
France coach Hervé Renard replaced goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin with penalty specialist Solene Durand just before the end of extra time, but the move was of no use in the end. Star player Sam Kerr came on as a wild card after 55 minutes and strengthened her Australian selection. The 29-year-old Chelsea striker missed the first round due to a calf injury and came on for the first time in the round of 16 against Denmark (2-0).
Video evidence in penalty shootout
The French were slightly superior in the first half and had their best chance with a low shot by Kadidiatou Diani (8th minute). Defender Elisa de Almeida made a spectacular move from going behind just before half-time when she blocked a close-range shot from Australia’s Mary Fowler on the goal-line. The Matildas massively increased the pressure in the second round. So Fowler failed after an hour to goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin. France’s successful storm duo Diani and Eugénie Le Sommer hardly got a chance.
Cortnee Vine sprinted into the cluster of her teammates after the winning shot, to the deafening cheers of the fans at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. The Australian ended the marathon shooting in the World Cup quarterfinals with her goal against France – and the trembling of a whole nation. “I am so incredibly proud of my team. The courage they have shown. Unbelievable,” said national coach Tony Gustavsson.
Midfielder Emily van Egmond agreed: “I’m so proud of my team-mates. We deserve it.” It was the 20th penalty that Vine decided after 120 minutes without a goal. Once again, the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand offered a real thriller, with the better ending for the hosts. Goalkeeper Mackkenzie Arnold became the heroine in a dramatic way.
First she saved Selma Bacha’s first penalty, after Eve Perisset shot the post, Arnold took responsibility for the fifth and probably last shot. She had the decision on her foot, but also hit the post. It went on. Arnold then made a double save against Kenza Dali, as she went off the line with both feet illegally on the first shot. Again, Australia had match point, and again in the person of Clare Hunt missed the chance to win against goalkeeper Solene Durand, who came on especially for the showdown from the point.
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But France’s Vicki Becho also showed nerves and hit the post before Vine kept calm on the third match point and redeemed her country. “I told the team beforehand that this isn’t about a medal, it’s about the heart that beats in this team and in this country,” said Gustavsson. The disappointed French, on the other hand, looked ahead despite the dramatic elimination: “You win and you lose. We still have to be proud of our players. So keep your head up and think about the Olympic Games,” said coach Herve Renard.
