After A Record Penalty Kicks Session, The Matildas Are in The Semi-Finals

On a night of drama in Brisbane, the substitute Cortnee Vine stepped up and ensured that the 49,461 fans in attendance at the Suncorp Stadium don’t go back home disappointed.

Vine, who is playing her first World Cup, successfully converted the seventh penalty (7-6 on penalties) sending the Matildas to their maiden semi-final at a FIFA Women’s World Cup.

After nerve-shredding 120 minutes during which neither team managed to score, a thrilling 20-penalty shootout was needed to determine a winner.

In a pivotal moment, France’s 19-year-old player, Vicky Becho, missed the tenth penalty attempt, offering Cortnee Vine the opportunity to successfully net hers and secure her nation’s qualification.

Australia keep their World Cup dream alive and qualify for the semi-final where they will face the Lionesses of England in Sydney on Wednesday.

France’s Early Domination

France quickly showcased their attacking power as they completely dominated the first 35 minutes of the match with 9 chances created and two dangerous shots on target. Australia’s defense looked chaotic.

With seven minutes into the game, France’s top scorer at the tournament, Kadidiatou Diani came close to putting the ball in the back but missed the target.

Maelle Lakrar also fluffed a golden opportunity to give Les Bleues the lead from a corner in the 12th minute.

France had many opportunities to capitalize on their dominant situation, yet they failed to do so. In significant matches like today’s, failing to make the most of your opportunities often results in consequences, and in this case, that’s exactly what happened.

The Matildas’ Response

Supported by the green and gold sell-out crowd, the Matildas shifted the match’s energy to their side.

Just before the halftime whistle, Mary Fowler was provided several chances to break the deadlock. The most dangerous of which was that shot intercepted by Elisa de Almeida, France’s right back, who raced toward the goal line and produced a miraculous save.

The hosts continued their domination in the second half but they weren’t able to convert their chances successfully. They had to bet on the penalty kicks session who eventually smiled for them and sent the French back home, heartbroken.

In a post-match interview, Australia coach Tony Gustavsson thanked his players for their efforts. “I’m so freaking proud about this team. The bravery that they showed tonight, unbelievable.”

The curse continues for Les Bleues who have long been suffering on the international stage.

For the third time in a row, the team is eliminated in the quarter-final round. Their only semi-final appearance was in the 2011 edition where they fell short against England and ultimately finished in fourth place.

“We had a whole stadium and a nation against us. We produced an exceptional performance, but this is football. This is our destiny,” French coach Hervé Renard told France 2, before adding, “Good luck to Australia. I think we deserved to qualify but this is football, and this is why we love this game of football.”

Match Highlights

Minute 7: Early chance for Kadidiatou Diani and France.

Minute 12: Maelle Lakrar also misses a clear opportunity to put Les Bleues in front.

Minute 32: Stellar save from Australia’s Mackenzie Arnold to keep France off the scoresheet.

Minute 41: Elisa De Almeida saves France with an incredible goal-line clearance.

Minute 45: Mary Fowler can’t finish the attack just before halftime.

Minute 55: Sam Kerr is subbed in.

Minute 55: Hayley Raso tries from a distance but Pauline Peyraud-Magnin saves.

Minute 60: Two stellar saves from French goalkeeper.

Minute 92: Australia’s Katrina Gorry receives the yellow card after a hard tackle on Sakina Karchaoui.

Minute 100: France score but their goal is canceled due to foul in the box by Wendie Renard on Australia’s defender.

Key Stats

• Australia played their fourth FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-final. They were eliminated from their three previous quarter-final matches in 2007, 2011, and 2015.
• Wendie Renard, France’s captain, became today the 8th most capped French player surpassing Sarah Bouhaddi (149). She now stands at 150 appearances with Les Bleues during which she scored 35 goals.

• Maëlle Lakrar is the second French player ever to feature in the team’s starting eleven during a knock-out match with less than 10 appearances to her name (8). The first was Amel Majri back in 2015 when she started against Germany in the quarter-final honoring her ninth selection.
• It was the longest Penalty kicks session in the history of the World Cup. There was a total of 20 penalty shots taken, 13 of which were scored (7 for Australia, 6 for France).
• France was eliminated for the fourth time in the 5 penalty kicks sessions they played in major tournaments (World Cup, Olympic Games, and Euros). Each of these eliminations was during the Quarter-final stage (Euro 2009 and Euro 2013, World Cup 2015 and World Cup 2023). A curse.
• Australia becomes the first host nation to reach the semi-final since 2003.

The dream of playing in a World Cup final on home soil is turning into a reality for the Matildas now. Can they make it?