Sam Kerr and the Matildas make history by beating France in the longest ever penalty shootout at the World Cup – thanks to the exploits of Mackenzie Arnold and Brisbane’s Cortnee Vine winner
- A record 20 penalty kicks were needed to determine the winner
- Three saves from Mackenzie Arnold are key to victory
- Matildas will play the winner of Colombia vs England on Wednesday
The Matildas made history by reaching the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup for the first time after beating France 0-0 7-6 on penalties in the longest shootout in the tournament’s history.
Mackenzie Arnold made three saves before Cortnee Vine converted the winning penalty to seal the quarter-final victory in front of 49,461 screaming fans at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
The Matildas will face either England or Colombia, who meet later on Saturday, in next Wednesday’s semi-final at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
Sam Kerr’s reaction says it all after the Matildas survived a penalty shootout that stretched to a record 20 shots to beat France to their first ever semi-final
After France’s Vicki Becho hit the post 6-6, Vine coolly forced her penalty into the bottom corner to send Suncorp Stadium into ecstasy.
Mackenzie Arnold made three saves and missed a penalty himself in the 20-point shootout.
That included denying Kenza Dali, who had come off her line, only to save the midfielder’s second try.
Caitlin Foord, Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler, Katrina Gorry, Tameka Yallop, Ellie Carpenter and Vine all converted their penalties.
Steph Catley and Clare Hunt were both disallowed by French goalkeeper Solene Durand, who was substituted for the shootout.
A dramatic 120 minutes followed in which both teams had chances to win.
Mackenzie Arnold (in black jersey) is swarmed by her teammates after Cortnee Vine’s shot gave Australia a sporting memory that will never be forgotten
Tameka Yallop thrilled the crowd after scoring with her shot from the spot during the shootout
Mackenzie Arnold put the team on her back during the shootout – then got to carry Sam Kerr as the overjoyed striker broke free during the victory celebrations
After the game, Sam Kerr said the Matildas wanted to “change football forever in this country” – and they’ve done just that, regardless of what the rest of the tournament holds.
Kadidiatou Diani fired a warning shot in the eighth minute, Maelle Lakrar tapped over the crossbar in the 12th minute, while Arnold also rejected Eugenie Le Sommer and Lakrar in the 28th and 32nd minutes.
But Fowler was denied in the 41st minute by a heroic block from French right-back Elisa De Almedia, four minutes later by goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.
Kerr came on in the 55th minute and a minute later he burst forward and worked the ball to Hayley Raso, whose long-range effort was brilliantly disallowed by Peyraud-Magnin.
Neither team could find an opening from there and the game went into overtime.
France captain Wendie Renard headed home in the 100th minute, but the goal was disallowed when she was ruled foul of Caitlin Foord in the run-up.
Five minutes later, Vine jabbed a difficult chance wide, while Arnold made a huge save in the 107th minute to fend off Vicki Becho.
From there the rest was history.
After the game, Kerr said the Matildas wanted to “change football in this country forever” by excelling at the World Cup.
Mission accomplished.