Co-hosts Australia dramatically qualified for the Women’s World Cup semi-finals this Saturday by beating France 7-6 on penalties after 120 minutes without a goal in Brisbane.
In the third game of the ‘quarters’, Cortnee Vine was the ‘heroine’ of the ‘Matildas’, converting the 20th kick of the ‘lottery’ in which the Australians failed three attempts, two of which were to seal the ‘socks ‘. ‘ in advance, and the Gauls four.
Australia has thus secured its best-ever performance in World Cups, following three consecutive quarter-final falls, in 2007, 2011 and 2015, against Brazil, Sweden and Japan respectively.
For its part, France, semi-finalist in 2011, “falls” for the third time in a row in the “quarters”, a repeat of 2015 (defeat against Germany, also in the penalty shoot-out) and 2019 (defeat 2-1 against the United States, at home).
The game was evenly matched throughout the 120 minutes, with periods of dominance by both teams, with neither team having the knack of making the score work.
In the tiebreak Gallic Selma Bacha missed the first kick, saved by Mackenzie Arnold, but in the fourth, Stephanie Catley also defended Solene Durand, who had come in on 120+3 minutes, for penalties.
On the ninth kick, Arnold deflected Eve Perisset’s shot to the right post, who had also come in for penalties after 120+3 minutes, and then took over the 10th, which could qualify Australia, but hit the post left.
The next three French women scored, with the Australians always responding, until Arnold stopped Kenza Dali on the 17th kick, but in the next Durand did the same to Clare Hunt, the second co-host who squandered qualifying.
However, France failed again on the 19th attempt, when Vicki Becho hit the right post and on the 20th, and on the third match point, Australia even managed to qualify, with Cortnee Vine showing composure, much to the delight of the vast majority of the 49,461 spectators that nearly filled Suncorp Stadium.
In the semi-finals, the ‘Matildas’ take on the winner of the clash between England and Colombia, while in the other final, Spain and Sweden face each other. a new champion on August 20.
Source: DN
