Mackenzie Arnold etches her name into the history books to lift Matildas over France

Mackenzie Arnold has just etched her name into Australian football folklore after producing an otherworldly penalty shootout display.

Build the statue. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Mackenzie Arnold just etched her name into Australian football folklore.

The Matildas goalkeeper stepped up and delivered for her country when it mattered most as she thwarted France’s hopes.

In what was a historic penalty shootout, Arnold saved four shots including a replayed shot after she was called for stepping off the line early.

Her heroics left fans watching on in awe and it puts her alongside fellow Australian goalkeeping icons Mark Schwarzer and Andrew Redmayne.

John Aloisi was on comments for Channel 7 and when told he’d been relegated to the second most epic penalty shootout in history, he said: “I’m happy to be relegated. We’re in a semifinal.

“This is what a World Cup does on home soil it brings everyone together. The nation together. Everyone’s following the Matildas. Everyone’s behind them. Everyone’s believing they can go all the way.”

Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson was blown away by the display put forth by Arnold.

“Her composure, the bravery, but then also to come back after that miss and be the game changer … I’m so happy for her,” Gustavsson said.

Build the statue. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Commentators and fans alike were left speechless as Arnold stepped up again and again to deny the French players.

ESPN’s Steve Smith wrote: “MACKENZIE ARNOLD BUILD THE STATUE.”

News Corp’s Matt Turner wrote: “What a rollercoaster! Arnold did so well to stay in the moment and refocus after her penalty miss.”

Channel 7’s David Basheer said the result was “unbelievable” and described Arnold’s performance as “spine-tingling”.

Aloisi added: “Wow. I don’t think I have ever seen a penalty shoot-out like that before. It ebbed and flowed. Drama, drama. This is what sport does, though.”

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— Commie Tommy (@correnterosso) August 12, 2023

Denied. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The result means the Matildas will now play the winner of England and Colombia, with the semi-final on Wednesday night at 8pm (AEST) from Stadium Australia in Sydney.

It comes after a wild 120 minutes which almost had it all except goals.

There were two golden chances each in the first half but it was Australia’s Mary Fowler who had the best.

A desperation goal line save from French defender Elisa De Almeida denied Fowler an effectively empty net late in the first half as the Matildas turned the momentum.

Sam Kerr came off the bench in the 55th minute and seemed to spark the Matildas but it was to avail as Australia played out the first scoreless draw after 90 minutes in our World Cup history.

It looked as though France had scored in extra-time when Alanna Kennedy appeared to head the ball into our own goal after a dodgy call handed France a corner, but it was denied after French captain Wendie Renaud was pinged for dragging down Caitlin Foord.