FIFA World Cup 2023: Matildas react to their stunning victory over France, semi v England

Australia’s triumphant Matildas have lifted the lid on their jaw-dropping World Cup win over France – and the nerve-jangling penalty shootout.

Just two days ago Cortnee Vine said she was willing to do whatever the team needed of her and she delivered.

Vine, just 25 with less than 25 games in the green and gold – was slotted as the 10th penalty taker.

Running onto the pitch in extra time Vine didn’t let herself think the match was going to end in penalties – let along that she would be called on to take the match winning shot – and send the Matildas into their first World Cup semi-final.

“This is something I just never dreamt of happening, it’s crazy,” Vine said post match.

“I said I was willing to do whatever the team wanted me to do and Tony (Gustvasson) picked as tenth so I stood up.”

Vine said she didn’t allow herself to think about the pressure of the occasion – instead just focusing on the task at hand as she walked from the centre circle to the penalty spot.

She blocked everything out – an impressive task given the noise from the full house at Suncorp Stadium.

“I just knew where I was going to put my pen,” Vine said.

Cortnee Vine (top) celebrates with teammates after her matchwinning penalty. Picture: Getty

“I feel like in those moments, you just need to be confident in what you’ve practised.

“In the moment I felt like (Mackenzie Arnold) had done the job before me, she’s the one that saved it and I just had to put it away.”

Vine said the moments after the ball hit the net were just a blur, mingled with the incredibly loud cheering of the 49,000 plus people in the stands.

“Someone jumped on me first and then individuals came jumping up – I felt like I was in a whirlwind. I didn’t know what was going on. It was crazy,” Vine said.

When Vine was injected into the game she had an immediate impact – creating a goal scoring chance within two minutes.

“I thought we were going to score when I came on,” Vine said.

“I had real belief we could score in the dying minutes of extra time and I didn’t think it was going to go to penalties.

“I kept thinking we’re going to do it.”

Cortnee Vine slots home the matchwinning penalty. Picture: Getty

Vine wasn’t the only youngster to net a penalty with Mary Fowler, 20, also putting hers away.

Clare Hunt, who has just 10 games in the green and gold, missed her shot.

But Sam Kerr said all the rookies had done incredible.

“One of my coaches once said it only takes big players to step up and take a pen so I’m so proud of those kids,” Kerr said.

“They’re amazing. For Cortnee Vine to step up in that pressure.

“Mary Fowler is not even a child, she’s 20, but she is one of the most amazing players in our team, she has a head on her like she’s 30 and has been around the game for a 100 years.

“Clare Hunt is another one I could talk about for a million years it feels like she has been here for one million years. We needed them tonight and they stepped up so I’m really proud of them.”

KERR BANISHES PENALTY DEMONS

By Erin Smith

Sam Kerr had the time it took her to walk from the centre circle to the penalty spot to banish the memory of her last penalty for Australia – it was four years ago at the World Cup – she missed and Australia lost.

Her ability to bury that thought in the back of her head as well as she buried the ball into the net against France in the quarterfinal shootout is testament to how much growth Kerr has done as a footballer in the past few years.

Sam Kerr (L) banished her World Cup demons with a coolly taken penalty. Picture: Getty

Kerr, who missed the first four games of the World Cup with an injured calf – played close to 65 minutes in the do-or-die clash with France – a little bit longer than originally planned due to the 30 minutes of extra time and shoot out.

The captain was third to strike the ball for Australia behind Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley.

Foord had scored hers, Catley’s was saved by the keeper.

“The only pen I was thinking about when I stepped up was the last World Cup when I missed,” Kerr said.

“I went away from my routine so this time it was all about routine and self belief and putting it where I normally do. The last World Cup when I missed I just tried to do something I wasn’t used to – so this time it was all about routine and all about focus.”

Kerr said she was so focused on being focused that she hadn’t even registered what Foord and Catley had done.

“I was just staring at the goal for mine, it’s a rollercoaster honestly, it’s up and down,” Kerr said.

“I hate pens, I wish there was golden goal or something because I think it’s such a bad way for anyone to lose and obviously we’ve been on the winning side tonight but it’s just such a rollercoaster.”

Steph Catley reacts after missing her penalty during the shootout. Picture: Getty

Kerr made it very clear after that match that she was far from a fan of starting on the bench – but was also willing to play whatever role the team needed her to.

“We’ve had a plan this whole tournament and we just had to stick to it,” Kerr said.

“It’s hard to come off the bench as a sub, I just had to focus and regain the focus I probably haven’t had the past two weeks because I haven’t been playing as much.

“When I came on I tried to bring the energy and lift the girls and I felt the momentum swung a little bit our way but that’s what you have to do as a sub.

“It’s your role as a teammate to come off the bench and change the game and then just settle in and do your job – it’s not easy and I don’t envy people that are super subs because it’s an amazing job that they do.”

The captain said the plan had always been to have her calf ready by semi finals but wouldn’t be pushed on if she would be starting against England on Wednesday night.

“I’m so grateful that I was able to be here and come back and I knew I would come back on the pitch, I would have played with one calf if I had to,” Kerr said.

“I’m just happy that I’m back and the girls are smashing it and we’re doing well.

“The whole country is behind us, but one game at a time, we’re not going to get this far then get too far ahead of ourselves.”

Originally published as FIFA World Cup 2023: Matildas react to their stunning victory over France, semi v England