Mackenzie Arnold put in the greatest performance of her life in the Matildas’ World Cup quarter-final against France – but insisted afterwards that she prepared “less than you think” for the heart-pounding shootout.
The goalkeeper was the best on ground during one of the greatest nights Australian sport has ever seen, making three saves to help the Matildas to a 7-6 penalty shootout victory over France and into the Women’s World semi-final Cup against England.
For Arnold, who only became first-choice keeper in February, it was the culmination of her incredible rise from third-choice keeper at the Tokyo Olympics to Matilda’s hero.
After the match, she revealed that while a penalty shootout is under investigation, she prefers to go by her instincts.
When asked how much preparation she did for the French, Arnold replied, ‘Not much, to be honest. Probably less than you think.
MacKenzie Arnold said ‘not much’ of preparation went into Saturday’s dramatic penalty shootout – the longest in World Cup history
Arnold revealed that she does some research but mainly trusts her gut feeling when it comes to saving fines
“I think I have an instinct, and I tend to just trust my gut.
‘Of course we have some research behind the scenes, and also communication with coaches. I guess I tend to stay kind of calm, but I wouldn’t say I read it that well – it’s my instincts I just go with.
Arnold also revealed that she had been unwell for both the round of 16 victory over Denmark and on Saturday night, but would not miss either match.
“I will remember this night for the rest of my life,” she said.
“I certainly didn’t process it.
“That’s the craziest game I’ve ever played considering what was at stake.
“It’s going to be a long time before I really realize what happened and what I did and what the team did. I’m just super proud to be Australian now.
“I haven’t been doing so well the last few weeks. So I’m still over that, hence the eyes – these aren’t tears, but still they aren’t tears.
Arnold revealed that she had been feeling unwell during the Matildas’ last two games
The Aussie keeper described the dramatic match as the craziest she has ever played in
‘You just have to do your job. I was always playing.’
Arnold made several clutch saves during regulation and extra time to ensure Australia reached a penalty shootout.
But then she really made her mark by denying Selma Bacha, Eve Perriset and Kenza Dali.
Arnold then had a chance to take the win when she was charged with the responsibility of taking the fifth penalty herself – but she ‘cut’ it into the post.
“Obviously I wasn’t thinking much,” she joked.
“The girls are singing my praises, but I’m seriously so proud of each and every one of them, especially after I also missed the penalty and watched them rally around me like they did to keep me in the game.”
The roller coaster just kept coming. At 6-6, Arnold denied Dali, thinking she had just made the biggest save of her career, but the VAR showed Arnold had come off her line, which has been tackled even further under recent rule changes.
It meant Dali had another chance to score, but Arnold again denied her.
Three penalty kicks later Australia was through.
“It was a bit of a mind game to be honest, whether she’s going the same way or it’s changing, but I supported myself and luckily I got the rescue again,” said Arnold.
“I alternated between my technique and the new technique and it seems to be working.”