Matildas v France FIFA World Cup 2023: Australia secure semi-final berth after penalty madness
After 120 minutes of missed chances, disallowed goals and nerve-wracking drama, Australia booked a historic World Cup semi-final berth with a mind-boggling penalty shootout.
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The dream is alive and kicking
Australia remains in contention to win the FIFA Women’s World Cup on home soil, with the Matildas beating France 7-6 in a pulsating penalty shootout in front of almost 50,000 passionate fans at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night to claim a semi-final berth.
With scores locked at 6-6, substitute Cortnee Vine netted the decisive spot kick that secured the Matildas a heart-stopping quarter-final win after the game finished scoreless after 120 minutes of football.
Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold had a rollercoaster of a shootout, but in the end she was a hero with three crucial saves.
Arnold also had another save denied because she moved too early off her line, and also missed a spot kick of her own, with her effort smashing into the post.
France brought on reserve goalkeeper Solene Durand in the dying stages for the penalty shootout, replacing Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, who had made a host of saves for her side before coming off.
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson elected not to bring on Kyah Simon for the shootout, despite proclaiming that one of the reasons he had picked her in the squad despite her pre-existing knee injury was for her penalty-taking ability.
Sam Kerr, who came on 10 minutes into the second half, was one of the Matildas’ successful penalty takers.
Caitlin Foord, Mary Fowler, Katrina Gorry, Tameka Yallop and Ellie Carpenter were also successful with their spot kicks.
Fowler had three genuine chances to win the game in regulation time but couldn’t land what would have been the knockout blow.
Les Bleues thought they had taken the lead 10 minutes into the extra-time when Matildas defender Alanna Kennedy headed a corner into own net.
However, Chilean referee Maria Carvajal ruled that French captain Wendie Renard pulled down Australia’s Caitlin Foord just before Kennedy’s header bounced into the net.
Super Sam
Having resisted the temptation to start Sam Kerr, Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson waited until the 55th minute to bring on his star striker for just her second appearance of the tournament.
The roar around the stadium was almost deafening as Kerr entered the contest as a replacement for Emily van Egmond.
And the Chelsea forward had an almost immediate impact as she showed no signs of her calf injury in charging downfield with possession before laying the ball square into the path of Hayley Raso.
Already having scored three times in the tournament, the confident Raso let fly with a goal-bound strike that was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by French keeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.
Kerr continued to make her presence felt as she was involved in the build-up to another chance on the hour mark, but Peyraud-Magnin again came to France’s rescue with a good save to again deny Fowler.
French frustration
The French would have been kicking themselves for not being in front at half-time, having dominated the opening stanza.
While possession was even, France had nine shots to Australia’s four in the first-half and was more threatening in getting behind the Matildas’ defence too often for the crowd’s liking.
A miscued clearance from Matildas defender Alanna Kennedy almost proved costly for the Matildas in the eighth minute.
French attacker Kadidiatou Diani pounced on the loose ball as a desperate Kennedy grabbed at her jersey .
The strong Diani held off Kennedy before unleashing an angled shot that flew past the post.
The Matildas were again lucky four minutes later when French Maelle Lakrar fluffed a golden opportunity in the six-yard box after the Australians had failed to clear a corner.
Eugenie Le Sommer’s shot fell into the path of the unmarked Lakrar, but she somehow failed to hit the target with an open goal beckoning.
Lakrar had another opportunity in the 32nd minute after the Australians again failed to deal with a French corner.
This time Lakrar’s shot was much more decisive – and on target – but Matildas goalkeeper Arnold stood tall to ensure the game remained scoreless.
French’s failure to capitalise on a host of chances should have proven costly in the 41st minute when young Matildas star blew a great chance after Emily van Egmond pounced on a loose ball in France’s penalty area following a moment of hesitation between goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin and teammate Sakina Karchaoui.
Van Egmond laid the ball into the path of Fowler, who should have given the tournament co-hosts the lead. However, her close-range, goal-bound was superbly blocked by lunging French defender Elisa De Almeida.
Fowler had another chance a minute before half-time, but Peyraud-Magnin foiled her as she attempted to make the most of a superb through ball from Katrina Gorry.
REACTION:
John Aloisi said that while it was an incredible achievement, there is still work to do.
“We have to recover,” he said. “It’s hard to get the girls down now, from this high, you can imagine what they’re feeling right now.
“You let them enjoy it but then you have to recover from this. Because we have a game in three days’ time.
“We have a game in three days’ time. We have a game against potentially England or Colombia.
“You think that England are favourites to win that one. And you can just imagine what Stadium Australia will be like. So recover, enjoy the moment, but let’s go get the next one!
Former Matilda Heather Garriock could not contain her emotions.
“I was watching with tears,” she said. “All the former Matildas up there. We were just so emotional. I can’t hold my tears back. I’m so proud of this team.
“So proud of what we’ve achieved. We missed it. We went through obstacles.
“Clare Hunt could’ve won the penalty shoot-out. She didn’t. Then who would’ve thought, Cortnee Vine would be the John Aloisi! Of the Matildas!
“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.
“It was tight. But this man just here, Tony Gustavsson, he’s believed all along.
“We love his animation. His charisma. He’ done such a great job with this team, and wow, I can’t believe we’ve created history.”
.
PENALTY SHOOTOUT HOW IT PLAYED OUT
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 its 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 its a training drill
ET 23”
France have changed their keeper with just seconds to go in the extra time period. Ive not seen this since the grey wiggle came on for Australia and everyone thought Graham Arnold had lost his mind.
ET 19” AUS 0-0 FRA
For the first time this World Cup I can confirm Kyah Simon warming up - this would be a wild substitution. She has not trained at all this tournament.
What do you reckon big Tone is thinking? Penalties yeah?
And who are Australia penalty takers? Kerr, Foord, Catley, Kennedy, Simon?
Experience over anything.
As a Pom I can tell you from years of misery and heartbreak the 10 minutes of a shootout are quite honestly the worst you can experience in sport.
I’ve never recovered from Gareth Southgate Euro 1996 and if Aus go out on spot kicks tonight there’s a chance you’ll still be scarred by it in 27 years time.
ET 10” FRANCE DENIED A GOAL
NO GOAL
A goal denied 10 minutes into the first period of extra time n Brisbane and it’s France who lost out.
The referee intervened and denied a goal off a corner that should have never happened.
France found the back of the net but scores remain at 0-0 because replays show France pulled Caitlin Foord down in the area.
Just to make sure Alanna Kennedy put on a hell of a performance to make sure the ref knew as well.
“Wrongs have been righted,” says David Bahseer on Chanel 7.
He’s not wrong but the referee – who until now has been wonderful - was woeful then.
Down the other end how much time does Mary Fowler need to have a crack a goal.
Have a cup of tea why don’t you before you strike?
Breaking news: Gustavsson has discovered substitutions.
Vine on for Raso.
ET 4MINS
We await news of whether there is a mutiny at the MCG where the live feed of this match has been turned off to a chorus of boos.
Honestly the bounce isn’t for another 30 minutes. Could have squeezed it in lads.
Still no subs from either side.
There are some very tired legs out there. BRING ON VINE
90” WE GO TO EXTRA TIME
A penalty appeal fell on deaf ears and there was little of note for ether side in the final few minutes.
One thing I’m curious about is a lack of subs from either coach.
Honestly thought we would have seen Vine on by now. Her speed is unmatched.
No changes for France is simply indicative of their fitness which is impressive.
PENALTY DENIED
There were hands in the air for a penalty for the Matildas after 80 minutes in Brisbane but it looked clean.
VAR was reviewed and the crowd were left furious and a little confused about how the French got away with the heavy challenges on Caitlin Foord.
Yes there was a pull of the shirt but Foord hit the deck well after the contact.
Heavy contact yes. Penalty no.
David Basheer agreed with the decision: “Caitlin Foord does move through traffic so well, looking for the penalty as she went down,” he said.
“There’s certainly a little tug on the shirt from Lakrar. A bit of contact. Mentioned a little nick on the hair from the trailing boot of Wendie Renard.”
Not long after the penalty appeal, the whistle went to signal full-time. We go to 30 minutes of extra time and then penalties.
73” AUS 0-0 FRA
OK so 20 minutes of regular time left and there is very little in this second half to dictate who has the momentum.
France (I believe) yet to make any changes and looking solid in defence but I’m not convinced their keeper is as dependable as those around her.
The Matildas meanwhile, Arnold has been solid but the defence looks a little wobbly.
63” AUS 0-0 FRA
The French are getting mad and no one more so than their coach Herve Renard who is off his chops on the sidelines yelling at the referee who, honestly, if looks could kill, Renard would be a dead man right now.
The glare she’s just shot him - a photo needs to be commissioned, framed and hung in the Louvre.
54” SAM KERR IS ON
It took Sam Kerr less than a minute to make her presence known in the Matildas quarterfinal against France.
Nine minutes into the second half the superstar came off the bench to a roaring applause to replace Emily van Egmond.
With the scores locked and goalless, Tony Gustavsson pulled out the ace and she immediately flipped the match on its head.
A surging run up the left, Kerr SOMEHOW found Raso who took her time, sets up, smacked it and forced and incredibly acrobatic save from Peyraud-Magnin.
Talk about the superstar impact. EKK wasn’t all wrong then hey.
49” AUS 0-0 FRA
If you’ve heard a deafening roar on your TV, do not adjust the set, Sam Kerr is warming up along the sidelines at Brisbane Stadium or whatever we’re meant to call it under FIFA rules.
Fowler and Van Egmond the two players TGb will have to pick from.
Despite her heroics in the latter stages of the first half I’d be taking Van Egmond off, she’s a little too slow for the pace of the French.
And no sooner do I write that does Fowler balls up a decent opportunity to put her side ahead, fumbled the ball a few too many times but took it on her right and fluffed her lines.
SECOND HALF
So we’re all talking about Kerr coming on right.
EKK on Channel 7 certainly thinks she’s going to save the day.
“It is set up for Sam,” she said.
“It is a fairytale for Sam. I can’t wait for her to get out on the feel. We are missing the No. 9 striker to be threatening to get in be hype.”
Gustavsson has made no changes at half time.
We wait for Kerr and we wait for Cortnee Vine.
MATILDA ESCAPES REF WRATH
Alanna Kennedy is lucky not to have been yellow carded for a shocking early foul in the Matildas quarter-final against France.
Just eight minutes into the clash in Brisbane, the centre back was totally outclassed by Kadidiatou Diani and it’s a bad miss from the referee.
Kennedy was seen pulling on the shirt multiple times as the French forward got away from her and while the opportunity came to nothing Kennedy is fortunate not to have landed herself in the book.
Should have been yellow.
After 30 minutes there was another scare this time with Foord taking out Élisa De Almeida and a yellow there would have ruled the Matilda out the semi final - if they get there.
Foord, Van Egmond and McKenzie Arnold are the three Australia players on yellows and they will miss the semis if they earn another (and win).
40” AUS 0-0 FRA
OFF THE LINE!
Incredible scenes at Brisbane the ball is off the line by Élisa De Almeida with France’s keeper in all sorts.
Hayley Raso on the right drew the keeper Peyraud-Magnin out yet somehow got the ball to Emily van Egmond who then fed Mary Fowler.
The strike was brilliant but of all the spots she could have hit it, it rebounded off De Almeida.
Should have been 1-0. WHAT A MOMENT.
Huge sigh of relief for the French and moments later it was Fowler again with a chance, fed through and it was just her against the keeper. Outstanding defence from Les Bleus.
Should be 2-0 to Australia at the half.
ELISA DE ALMEIDA WITH A GOAL SAVING BLOCK 🤯🇫🇷
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) August 12, 2023
Mary Fowler thought she’d scored. So did the whole nation.
Watch 📲 https://t.co/NthWa1caY5#FIFAWWC#OptusSportpic.twitter.com/Ehj5WN7oG0
37" AUS 0-0 FRA
A terrific break of play from Australia on the counter attack. Incredible run from Foord driving through three French defenders one of whom almost wiped her out. Ball fell to Carpenter after Raso to keep the chance alive. No shot on target but again, signs that things are building.
The French are keeping Fowler out of this match tremendously well.
What a match so far hey. Little too hurried on the attack, Australia’s defence need to clear with more conviction. But a great contest.
31”AUS 0-0 FRA
Another chance for France and Arnold comes up big AGAIN for Australia, Wendie Renard with the strike and it demands a hell of an effort from the Matildas keeper.
Can’t predict this momentum at the moment. France now with the advantage and they retain the edge over Australia on the basis they’ve actually tested the keeper.
“I can’t. My heart fell out watching that one,” Elise Kellond Knight said “That was 100% goal chance. I don’t know how that didn’t go in.”
Mary Fowler a little too quiet for my liking at the moment.
Toy G on the sidelines getting very animated.
This referee is very, very generous I must say. Raso is getting herself in all sorts.
24” AUS 0-0 FRA
It’s getting a little scrappy at the midway point of the half. A few yellows have been dished out and Gorry needs to be a little careful at the moment. She’s going gung-ho.
Australia beginning to turn things over a little, their momentum is building. They’ve had a few cheeky chances, nothing to test Peyraud-Magnin as yet.
And no sooner do I write that does Hayley Raso draw the keeper well out of her area, well out of position and forces the attack for the Matildas.
13”AUS 0-0 FRA
HOW DID YOU MISS THAT?
Australia lucky not to be a goal down at the moment, the momentum is with France, a deflected shot fell to Lakrar but it’s come off her backheel, flicked well over the cross bar.
Shortly before some worrying scenes.
Not what any Matildas fan wants to see, Kyra Cooney Cross down on the sidelines clutching her left ankle and while she’s back on her feet it’s taken some time. No none wants to be making substitutions after 10 minutes.
8"AUS 0-0 FRA
Alanna Kennedy is lucky not to have been carded for that. Totally outclassed by Diani and it’s a bad miss from the ref. Kennedy pulling on the shirt multiple times and while the opportunity came to nothing, shot goes well wide, that’s a warning for Australia. Should have been yellow.
5” AUS 0-0 FRA
A pretty cool start from the French stringing together some neat passing, finding their comfort and holding possession. crucial for them they aren’t overawed by the occasion, they have spoken plenty this week about how the pressure is on Australia. they have to keep it that way.
But it’s the French that end up being “tested” early, a driving ball into the area from the Matildas but too long for Foord to get on the end.
Blink and we’re up the other end with Selma Bacha v Ellie C, which will be a ripper contest tonight.
A solid start from both sides.
4:55PM HOW'S ABOUT THAT WELCOME TO COUNTRY HEY, TREMENDOUS
The Welcome to Country featured a moving rendition of Waltzing Matilda - which was sung loudly and proudly by the sold out crowd at Suncorp Stadium.
How’s everyone’s nerves? I’m half way through a massive block of chocolate. Stress eating is a real thing.
The time has come, a nation expects and this is the Matildas moment.
Their quarter-final against France kicking off now.
Enjoy the match.
KERR ON THE BENCH
Tony Gustavsson has stuck with the formula which earned Australia a spot in the World Cup’s final eight, resisting the temptation to start superstar Sam Kerr.
The Matildas captain will be unleashed from the bench as Gustavsson stuck with the same XI which defeated Denmark in the round of 16.
Gustavsson had said Kerr would undergo a final fitness check last night which would determine how many minutes she would be fit for.
You can read this in two ways. On the one hand it’s the single biggest gamble of Tony’s career, on the other, it keeps the French guessing when Kerr will come on. It will eat away at them.
France meanwhile have made one change to the side that saw off Morocco. Maelle Lakrar comes back in after struggling with a quad issue.
This French side screams “we’re out to stop Caitlin Foord.” You would hey, she was insanely good against Denmark.
4:25PM WHAT WILL FRANCE DO?
They will play attacking football and they’re going to play wide.
Big Tony reckons they’re ready for it.
He’s just spoken ahead of the match and here’s what he said.
“It’s going to be a yellow wall in the stands, we’re so pumped,” Gustavsson said.
“The heat has not changed our preparations.
“Line up wise yes France will be the same (as Bastille Day) but formation wise they will be different maybe.
“They will be very attacking minded and they’re scoring well.
“We need to keep what we do against big teams. They have threats left and right.
“We need to generate good press on the ball. We have to hurt their back line as much as possible.”
4:16PM MUSIC MAESTRO
Erin Smith at Brisbane Stadium:
Matildas have run out to warm up with Unstoppable by Sia playing. The players gave a huge round applause to the crowd which is already building at Suncorp, with kick off now 45 minutes away. Sam Kerr is not taking part in the warm up- she is looking very relaxed in the bench.
#Matildas lineup is out. Sam Kerr will start the game on the bench for #AUS#FIFAWWChttps://t.co/r78iHqMyJo
— Har Journalist (@HarJournalist) August 12, 2023
3:40PM SECRET WEAPON FOR MATILDAS
Playing her club football in France looks set to be Ellie Carpenter and the Matildas’ secret weapon as they prepare for the do-or-die clash with Les Bleus.
The Australia right back has played with Lyon for the last three years and with five of her teammates set to suit up against her in Brisbane tonight, it seems her intel could prove priceless.
”Tomorrow is extra special for me,” Carpenter said Friday afternoon. “Obviously, it’s a quarter-final, but playing against half my teammates gives me a little bit more insight and obviously I know the players very well.
“It is going to be a great game, a great battle, especially on the right-hand side for me, left-hand side for France. They’re dominant on that side, world class players.
“I’m really looking forward to the battle, especially against Selma [Bacha]. She’s a great player, I train with her every day and I just can’t wait.”
3PM TWO HOURS TO GO
We are two hours from kick off and about 45 minutes from learning the Matildas’ starting line-up for today’s quarter-final.
I’ll be taking over our coverage until the final whistle and possibly beyond. I feel it’s my obligation to let you know I am half English half French. I’ll be as balanced as possible this match but currently my heart is with Les Bleus, my head has to be with the Matildas because, you know, it’s a better story.
One thing is certain however, this afternoon’s clash is going to be awesome.
If you watched the two sides play a few weeks back at AAMI park, forget everything you saw. The Matildas were out testing last minute options, the French were so jet-lagged they barely looks liked they’d arrived on the pitch until about 20 minutes in.
Neither side would have given much away.
Plenty and I mean PLENTY has happened since Bastille Day.
The French campaign started off with a draw against Jamaica but they’ve since put at least two goals passed their opponents which includes a win over Brazil. They have built up well and look a big threat in attack.
Australia for their part have done similar. The Ireland opener was not a good start, the Kerr news dominated things and exposed just how dependent the team was on her. They had to adjust their style and haven’t they just.
The performance against Canada is on of the best I’ve seen from any side this tournament.
I for one wouldn’t be starting Kerr today. Let Fowler do her thing and shake it up in the second half.
But I’m neither big Tone or Mr Renard the fox. We will know their plans soon.
2:35PM THEY’RE PAID WHAT?
Former Matilda Michelle Heyman has revealed the shocking amount that the players were paid for reaching the 2015 FIFA World Cup quarter-final.
As the Australian team gets ready for a quarter-final against France in front of a sellout game in Brisbane on Saturday, Heyman told The Project just how far the women’s game has come as FIFA talks about improving prize money for women.
FIFA has pledged to equalise World Cup prize money for their two senior tournaments by 2027.
The Project host Hamish Macdonald asked Heyman, the A-League Women’s all time leading goal scorer, what players were paid at the World Cup eight years ago.
“Michelle, let’s put this all in perspective – 2015 World Cup you got in the quarterfinals after knocking out Brazil. How much did you take home as a result of that tournament?” Macdonald asked on Friday.
“You really want to know?” Heyman said.
“Yes, I really want to know.”
“So the big $750,” Heyman said.
A gobsmacked Macdonald replied “Seriously?”
“Yeah. It wasn’t anything good back then. And it’s nice to see there’s a little bit of change in the last eight years,” Heyman said.
“But yeah, that’s what we all brought home each was the big $750!”
Heyman said she was pumped to see the Matildas doing so well at their home World Cup tournament, where games are sold out and merchandise is selling off the shelves.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has even floated the idea of a public holiday if the Matildas win.
But Heyman said there was still a long way to go for the women’s game despite the success of this tournament, which is being jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
“There’s zero equality still within the game. I think we’re getting paid four to five times less than what the men are for the World Cup. So it has come a long way in the last eight years since my World Cup. But at the same time, it’s still so, so far away from equality.”
She said the marketing of the women’s game had improved, but she didn’t begrudge the success — and potential financial bonus — the team was experiencing.
“They’re my girls. They’re my team,” she said.
“But I think that you can see the difference within companies jumping on board. Everyone supporting the Matildas. Ten years ago, there was none of that.”
2:15PM FRANCE NOT FUSSSD BY KERR
Sam Kerr might be good, but French star Eugenie Le Sommer is better.
That’s the belief of Les Bleues coach Herve Renard, who had a clear warning for the Matildas ahead of Saturday’s FIFA Women’s World Cup quarter-final showdown at Suncorp Stadium.
“There’s no-one like her in the (penalty) box,” Renard said of 34-year-old attacker Sommer.
“I have seen a few male players that were incredible in the box, but she has incredible quality.
“She’s like a surgeon in the box … I wouldn’t change my strikers for the ones from the other team.”
Le Sommer, a teammate of Matildas right-back Ellie Carpenter at French club Lyon, has already scored three goals in the tournament, including a brace in France’s 4-0 round-of-16 thrashing of Morocco.
Matildas captain Kerr has played less than 20 minutes during the tournament because of a calf injury,
Regardless of how much game-time Kerr is given on Saturday night, Renard predicted the Matildas style of play would not change.
“Of course the characteristics of the strikers will be different, but they like to wait for their opponent, they like the transition to be fast and get behind the defence, and they have some very good players to use this system,” he said.
“We are aware about everything, we know they are a very good team with fantastic support, but I have full confidence in my squad.
“I am with one of the best football teams in the world, so I just want them to have more confidence in themselves … respect all their opponents, but don’t fear anybody because they have the quality to have a fantastic tournament.
“I’m sure now they realise how well they can do.”
12.45PM: VIC PREMIER OPENS ANOTHER LIVE SITE FOR MATILDAS FANS
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has declared that Rod Laver Arena will be open to supporters for tonight’s quarter-final against France.
“Fed Square went off on Monday for the Matildas (against Denmark in the round of 16),” Andrew said. “And (on Saturday), Rod Laver will too,” Andrews said.
“We’re opening the arena and putting the game on the big screen.
“Gates 3 and 4 at Rod Laver Arena will open at 3:30pm. There are 12,000 seats which will be first come, first served.”
Fed Square went off on Monday for the Matildas.
— Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) August 11, 2023
And tomorrow, Rod Laver will too.
We're opening the arena and putting the game on the big screen. pic.twitter.com/nRR27aw5lt
The MCG is another venue you can watch the Matildas play, prior to the Carlton and Melbourne blockbuster in the AFL.
However you may miss out on the drama of extra time, with the footage set to cut off after regulation time is up.
You can read the latest on that story HERE.
10.30AM: ‘AMAZING OFF THE BENCH’: LEGEND HINTS AT KERR ROLE
Matildas great Heather Garriock has declared Sam Kerr “would be amazing to come off the bench” in tonight’s do-or-die clash with France.
Speaking on Channel 7’s sunrise, Garriock was asked for her thoughts on Kerr’s fitness heading into the quarter-finals, and her response seemed to indicate she would prefer to back in the starting XI that defeated Denmark and Canada.
“Look, it comes down to the boss, Tony Gustavsson, and whether he feels starting her from the start. He said if she can play a full 90 minutes, she is going to start, so that comes down to the medical staff,” Garriock said.
“I think she would be amazing to come off the bench ... I just think the Matildas have played so well together and there are so many great players, X factor players.
“You have Caitlin Foord scoring goals, and Hayley Raso has scored three goals in the tournament and has been everywhere. Mary Fowler is unbelievable. I don’t know who you would lose, but having Sam Kerr off the bench or starting is going to challenge the French, for sure.”
9AM: TV RATINGS BONANZA: MATILDAS SET TO SMASH MORE RECORDS
The Matildas are set to eclipse their historic record for the most-watched female sports event in Australia with their Women’s World Cup quarter-finals match against France.
Their crucial win over Denmark on Monday obliterated ratings records, with the match peaking at 2.28 million viewers.
With a gobsmacking total reach of 4.88 million people who watched even just one minute on TV or 15 seconds online, the Matildas’ victory was the most viewed program in Australia this year.
Fans are divided in their viewing of matches in the streaming era between official free-to-air networks and online platforms.
As some subscription services such as Optus Sports don’t share their viewership data, it can be difficult to compare ratings over the decades but in the modern era, the Matildas could just muscle their way into the most watched sports matches in Australia.
Here’s how the records stand since the OzTAM ratings system was introduced in 2001:
■ 2005 Australian Open final
Seven – 4.04 million
Lleyton Hewitt was the first Australian player to play in the men’s singles finals in 17 years when he came up against Russian Marat Safin. While he had the entire country behind him, Hewitt went down in four sets.
■ 2003 Rugby World Cup final
Seven – 4.02 million
Tournament hosts Australia came up against England at Stadium Australia for the final having gone through their pool matches undefeated and beating New Zealand in the semi-final. Unfortunately the Wallabies went down in extra time.
■ 2014 NRL Grand Final
Nine – 3.99 million
South Sydney completed a fairytale season and ended their 43-year premiership drought with a 30-6 win over Canterbury’s Bulldogs. The match was notable for Sam Burgess playing on despite suffering a broken cheekbone in the opening tackle.
■ 2021 AFL Grand Final
Seven – 3.91 million
Melbourne won the grand final against the Western Bulldogs which was played in Perth because of the pandemic lockdowns on the east coast. When Fox Footy replay ratings were added to the free-to-air broadcast, the final was watched by an estimated average audience of 4.11 million.
■ 2015 Cricket World Cup final
Nine/Fox Sports – 3.9 million
The final at the MCG featured the World Cup co-hosts Australia and New Zealand battling for the title. Michael Clarke’s team were the one-day victors by seven wickets, with Steve Smith scoring 105 runs.
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