Ellie Carpenter’s reaction to Matildas penalty shootout win ‘says everything’
Ellie Carpenter’s epic, visceral reaction to the Matildas’ penalty shootout win over France covered every emotion in the book.
World Cup
Don't miss out on the headlines from World Cup. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Ellie Carpenter’s face said it all.
The Matildas and the rest of Australia held their collective breath as Cortnee Vine walked up to the penalty spot and then erupted as she calmly dispatched the ball into the back of the net.
Vine’s shot sealed a thrilling 7-6 shootout win and sent Australia into the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time.
The shootout was a rollercoaster of emotions as the usually rock solid Steph Catley had her shot saved, Sam Kerr got redemption, Mackenzie Arnold hit the woodwork but managed to put the miss behind her to pull off countless clutch saves.
So when Vine sealed the thrilling win, the whole of Australia released a massive build up of tension and celebrated in style.
No one quite summed up the tense rollercoaster like Carpenter, who had every emotion written across her face as the Matildas sprinted off the centre line to mob Vine.
On the verge of tears, Carpenter hugged her teammates before quickly turning to Arnold and pointing at the goalkeeper in recognition that they couldn’t have won without her.
Just like fans around the country, Australia’s star right back was experiencing the full range of emotions all at once — relief, pride, jubilation and excitement.
Ellie Carpenter was literally everyone at a live site last night before being swept away by the crowd. pic.twitter.com/YYF1PZ9tP0
— Joseph Esposito (@JE5POSITO) August 12, 2023
Absolutely obsessed with Ellie Carpenter’s face during and after the penalty kicks, she has the opposite of a poker face
— Bec Shaw (@Brocklesnitch) August 12, 2023
Football journalist David Davutovic said on the ABC’s Offsiders program: “One of my favourite shots was a still just after Cortnee Vine put it away and you could see all the players racing to her.
“Ellie Carpenter had this contorted face, just this sheer look of delight and emotion. Just extraordinary scenes.”
Images of the Matildas sprinting to celebrate were reminiscent of John Aloisi’s 2005 penalty against Uruguay that sent the Socceroos to the 2006 World Cup.
Carpenter was Australia’s youngest athlete at the Rio Olympics and the 23-year-old been symbolic of the new generation of Matildas stars that includes Vine, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Mary Fowler and Charli Grant — to name a few.
The speedy defender has quickly become a fan favourite for her style of play and wearing her heart on her sleeve.
Carpenter was tasked with taking a penalty against France and celebrated hard when her shot went in.
She was also involved in one of the most heartwarming moments of the World Cup when she gave Danish striker Signe Bruun a hug and swapped jerseys with her after Australia beat Denmark 2-0 in the round of 16.
The Matildas will face England in the semi-finals on Wednesday night in Sydney after the European champions beat Colombia in their quarterfinal.
Sweden will take on Spain in the other semi-final on Tuesday.
Originally published as Ellie Carpenter’s reaction to Matildas penalty shootout win ‘says everything’
‘Absolute catastrophe’: Socceroos rocked
The Socceroos have fallen apart in spectacular circumstances with their world cup qualification campaign on a knife’s edge.
Arnold’s surprise Socceroos payout reveal, plan to revive career
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Six weeks after handing in his resignation as Socceroos coach, Graham Arnold has revealed the words that stung the most, his plans for the future and one major rumour surrounding his exit.