Matildas vs France: How every kick played out in penalty shootout win

It took a record breaking 20 penalty kicks for the Matildas to secure their semi-final spot. We break down the most incredible penalty shootout.

Sam Kerr of Australia runs with the ball

This was Cortnee Vine’s John Aloisi moment.

Enacting memories of the moment Aloisi ended Australia’s World Cup drought against Uruguay in 2005, Vine delivered the telling blow in a seesawing penalty shootout.

France missed first.

Mackenzie Arnold made saves — including one she had to make twice after VAR adjudged she had stepped off her line.

Mackenzie Arnold missed a chance to win it.

Clare Hunt missed a chance to win it.

SCROLL DOWN TO RECAP EVERY PENALTY KICK

Then at the third time of trying, Australia progressed to the semi-finals thanks to Vine.

“Clare Hunt could’ve won the penalty shootout. She didn’t. Then who would’ve thought, Cortnee Vine would be the John Aloisi — of the Matildas,” former Matilda Heather Garriock said.

“It’s not that we couldn’t believe or anyone couldn’t believe it. We all believed! It was a matter of, could we overcome the French? And gee, that was a tough game.”

Arnold reflected on how she recovered from the disappointment of missing the fifth penalty, which would have ended the shootout.

Mackenzie Arnold of Australia dives as Vicki Becho of France misses her team's tenth penalty in the penalty. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

“I was incredibly disappointed. I could have won the game for the girls (with her penalty) and to miss it, but the way they rallied around me … at the end of the day it’s my job to keep the ball out of the net and thankfully I could do that for them,” she said.

“I wanted to do my job for the team and I didn’t (missed penalty) I had to keep going and get the team over the line.

“After I missed it I wanted to get it back and I could do that, at the end of the day I kept my head in the game.”

A 10-year international who has exceptional reach and poise, Arnold relies on her own sharp instincts as well as research given to her from team stats officials as she decides which was to move.

“It comes down to trust, in each other and the coaches who do the research. Whether I choose to go that way or I don’t it is less preparation than you think.

“I do have an instinct. I tend to stay calm. I would not say I read it too well. ‘’

Arnold revealed she has been suffering from an eye injury since the Denmark game which she is still getting over.

When asked what she was thinking before she took her penalty which hit the post, Arnold quipped “clearly not much’’ before claiming she slightly sliced the ball.

Team-mate Steph Catley was effusive in her praise of Arnold’s commitment and reliability.

“She is so humble,’’ Catlin said of Arnold. “She’s always working hard trying to get better and she did something special tonight. She did what we have been waiting for her to do. You can see in the games the big saves she makes but we all know how good she is at penalties.’’

French coach Herve Renard hailed Arnold’s performance.

“We faced a Goliath of a goalie … what a game,” Renard said.

“This evening it was 50-50 but the destiny choose Australia.

“I think they can win the World Cup.”

Cortnee Vine buries the decisive penalty. Picture: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images.

PENALTY SHOOTOUT RECAP

Analysis by Erin Smith

FRANCE 6-7 AUSTRALIA

FRANCE MISS: France’s Selma Bacha lined up to the first kick to a chorus of boos from the Aussie crowd and Arnold bats it away easily

AUSTRALIA SCORE: Caitlin Foord stepped up for the Matildas’ first kick – wearing a serious look on her face – she means business. Little stutter step and slots it straight into the left hand corner – hard and low. The perfect penalty.

FRANCE SCORE: Kadidiatou Diani lines up for the second shot for France – once again boos echo through Brisbane Stadium – it doesn’t put her off – finding the same corner as Foord.

AUSTRALIA MISS: Steph Catley who wore the captain’s armband for the start of the match steps up to the mark but it is saved by the French keeper

FRANCE SCORE: French captain Wendie Renard is next to the spot. A stern look on her face as she sends Arnold the wrong way and puts the ball in the back of the net

AUSTRALIA SCORE: Sam Kerr, hasn’t kicked a penalty for club or country since missing at the 2019 World Cup Round of 16 match – you can tell it's a big moment for her. She takes the simple option deftly placing it in the right hand side of the net – a text book shot

FRANCE SCORE: Eugénie Le Sommer doesn’t miss for France – making Australia’s next kick crucial

AUSTRALIA SCORE: Mary Fowler, just 20 years old, takes on all the pressures of the nation and sends a rocket into the goal – lucky it didn’t bust a whole in the net

FRANCE MISS: Arnold saves the day – putting the Aussie’s ahead blocking France’s Ève Périsset shot

AUSTRALIA MISS: Arnold who has kept the Matildas in the game all night has missed her shot to win the game for Australia – hitting the post

FRANCE SCORE: But did she stop on her run?? Grace Greyoro stutter kick tripped up Arnold who hesitated and was too slow to stop the shot despite going the correct way and getting a hand to the ball.

AUSTRALIA SCORE: Katrina Gorry, small in size, but capable of handling the pressure of this all important kick and she did it easily.

FRANCE SCORE: Sakina Karchaoui puts her shot away – the shoot out continues

AUSTRALIA SCORE: Tameka Yallop, brought on for the penalty shoot out had no problem pulling off a perfect penalty

FRANCE SCORE: Maëlle Lakrarsends to the side netting to keep france in the chase

AUSTRALIA SCORE: Ellie Carpenter, sends a curling shot almost around the French keeper and the crowd is on their feet cheering

FRANCE MISS: But we go to VAR with Arnold off the line WE RETAKE! Arnold SAVES AGAIN!

AUSTRALIA MISS: Clare Hunt, a newbie to the Matildas stands on the spot with her hands on her hips. A suck of her bottom lip but the French keeper reads her like a book with a trailing hand keeping the ball out the net.

FRANCE MISS: French Vicki Bècho hits the post and falls to her knees in tears

AUSTRALIA SCORE: Cortnee Vine – a speedy winger – in her debut World Cup slots the winner away like it's a training drill.

Originally published as Matildas vs France: How every kick played out in penalty shootout win