Key Points
- The Matildas advanced to the Women's World Cup semifinals after beating France on penalties.
- Cortnee Vine scored the decisive goal in the longest shootout ever in the tournament's history.
- Australia will go on to play England in next Wednesday's semifinal at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
The Matildas have made Australian sporting history, reaching the semifinals of the Women's World Cup for the first time after edging out France 7-6 on penalties in a gripping encounter in Brisbane.
Mackenzie Arnold made three saves before Cortnee Vine converted the winning spot-kick to seal the quarterfinal victory in the longest shootout ever in the tournament's history in front of 49,461 screaming fans at Suncorp Stadium.
After France's Vicki Becho hit the post at 6-6, Vine coolly drilled her penalty into the bottom corner to send Suncorp Stadium into ecstasy. Source: AAP / Jono Searle
"In those moments you just need to be confident in what you've practised and in that moment I feel like Macca did the job before I had to.
"She's the one that saved it and I just had to put it away."
Arnold had earlier slammed Australia's fifth penalty into the post but recovered to star in the 20-penalty shootout.
Caitlin Foord, Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler, Katrina Gorry, Tameka Yallop, Ellie Carpenter and Vine all converted their spot-kicks. Steph Catley and Clare Hunt were both denied by French goalkeeper Solene Durand, who was substituted in for the shootout.
"I am still processing this. I think it might take me a couple of days but we have a quick turnaround so I have to figure it out quite soon. Unreal. I am speechless right now," Arnold said.
'This team can do anything'
The Matildas will play England in next Wednesday's semifinal at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
"My belief that this team can do anything had been there before tonight," coach Tony Gustavsson said.
"I genuinely believe this team can create history in so many ways, not just winning football games but in the way they can inspire the next generation and unite the nation.
"That is why I believe in them so much."
"These players are on a mission. They are going to celebrate this but from tomorrow they are going to focus. They are extremely professional and they are on a mission."
The scenes around - and en route to - Australia, have been astonishing.
Footage has been posted of an entire flight's passengers watching the shootout, bar one exception with someone getting stuck into Lord of the Rings.
Live sites around the country, and big screens at places like the MCG, erupted into ecstasy.
The Matildas have every reason to believe they can make the country explode all over again.
"We've shown that we thrive under pressure over and over and over again in this tournament and I think I have some unhealthy addiction to do-or-die games and these types of moments. I love it. It makes you feel alive," Gustavsson said.
"I brought (the staff) together before I walked in here and said 'this is what life is about creating memories with the ones you love the most'.
"To be able to do that tonight with this team has been amazing and I can't wait to get more moments like this with this group of amazing people."
120 minutes of gripping deadlock
The shootout followed an exciting 120 minutes in which both teams had nail-bitingly close chances and Matildas goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold was forced into a series of heroic saves.
France was clearly on top early as the Matildas lacked composure on the ball and consistently turned it over.
Kadidiatou Diani fired a warning shot in the eighth minute, Maelle Lakrar blasted a tap-in over the bar in the 12th minute while Arnold also denied Eugenie Le Sommer and Lakrar in the 28th and 32nd minutes.
Mary Fowler was denied by a heroic block from France right-back Elisa De Almedia in the 41st minute and goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin four minutes later.
Star striker Sam Kerr came off the bench in the 55th minute to rapturous applause at Lang Park in Brisbane as Australia tried to break the deadlock before the 90-minute mark. However, neither team could find an opening from there and the game went into extra time.
The extra time had the Australian team struggling as France ramped up its offense. Alana Kennedy put the ball through her own net in a corner given to France, but the move was disallowed as French defender Wendie Renard had committed a foul.
Prime Minister Albanese said Matildas are an "inspiration"
Before the match began on Saturday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the whole of Australia was supporting the team.
"The inspiration that the Matildas are providing, particularly to young girls, but also to young boys, will encourage them to play team sport," he said.
"Team sport is good, you learn how to win, you learn how to lose, you learn how to cooperate with your teammates. You learn something else as well, that the team is more important than any individual."
