Matildas outlast France to secure historic semi-final berth

The Matildas are into the World Cup semi-finals for the first time after a scarcely believable, drama-filled 7-6 penalty shootout win over France.

After 120 minutes of tense, thrilling football, it was a dead heat: 0-0. These two sides threw blow after blow at each other but could not be separated – and it seemed like they never would be as the shootout went through nearly every active player on each team, with momentum constantly shifting just as it had done in the match proper.

Australia’s Katrina Gorry celebrates a goal during the penalty shootout.Credit: Getty

Cortnee Vine ultimately scored the decisive penalty, putting it past France’s reserve goalkeeper Solene Durand, who replaced starter Pauline Peyraud-Magnin deep in extra time – a move reminiscent of Graham Arnold’s ‘Grey Wiggle’ gambit that got the Socceroos to Qatar.

But Durand made only two saves, to deny Steph Catley and then Clare Hunt for Australia’s ninth penalty, while Matildas custodian Mackenzie Arnold made four saves, including two on Kenza Dali after her first was chalked off by the VAR because she had come off her line.

Vicki Becho hit the post with her penalty and France’s 10th, setting up Vine – who plays her club football for Sydney FC and spoken openly about her wrestle with imposter syndrome – to be the hero for Australia.

They will now face England on Wednesday night in Sydney for a spot in the World Cup final on Sunday, after the Lionesses defeated Colombia 2-1 at Stadium Australia in their quarter-final later on Saturday.

Caitlin Foord, Sam Kerr, Mary Fowler, Katrina Gorry, Tameka Yallop and Ellie Carpenter all converted their penalties for Australia. Arnold had the chance to win it herself at 3-3 but hit the woodwork.

Arnold was brilliant before the shootout, too, making five terrific saves to keep France at bay in a clash that will be remembered as an instant classic.

Les Bleues had the better of the first half, and forced the Matildas into soaking up immense pressure – but the introduction of Kerr in the 55th minute for Emily van Egmond changed the complexion of the contest and revived a nervous crowd of 49,461 at Suncorp Stadium. The atmosphere completely shifted, and while the pendulum was already beginning to swing Australia’s way, this made sure of it.

Barely a few seconds after Kerr’s famous No.20 was lit up on the fourth official’s board, Kerr was on the ball, driving forward on a fast break to set up Hayley Raso. On the hour mark, Fowler had a crack at goal that was only kept out by Peyraud-Magnin’s right shin – one of many near-misses for the young star.

The introduction of Sam Kerr from the bench changed the complexion of the match.Credit: Getty

You could already feel it – now you could see it. The Matildas had become the dominant team. The sea of blue shirts was parting, and the gravitational pull of Kerr’s presence tilted the balance their way, creating openings that previously weren’t there.

But they weren’t seized. And the tension, that excruciating feeling only this sport can generate, eventually returned.

France, the world’s No.5-ranked side, were always going to respond, to take the sting out of the game – and they did. There were no more chances of significance to come after that initial burst, and so extra time it was.

There were more twists and turns to come. In the first period, France were wrongly awarded a corner kick. Vicki Becho tried to cross the ball but it clearly went out, the 49,461 fans in the house knew it, and went ballistic.

Then from the resultant set piece Alanna Kennedy nodded it into her own net. Disaster. Until referee Maria Carvajal waved her arms and ruled it out for reasons unknown to almost everyone. She must have seen a foul, apparently on Caitlin Foord. Thank heavens.

Chances continued to pile up: a near-miss at the near post for substitute Vine, a cracking save from Arnold to deny Becho, a lunging clearance from Catley to clear Kadidiatou Dani’s ever-present danger. A VAR check for a possible French penalty felt like it went for an eternity.

Another Becho effort was safely caught by Arnold. At the death, she was called upon again to repel Le Sommer. She did it. And she wasn’t done yet.

Gutsy England down Colombia to progress to last four

By James Robson

Alessia Russo fired England into the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup in a 2-1 win against Colombia on Saturday.

The Arsenal striker’s second-half goal completed a come-from-behind win for the Lionesses after Leicy Santos had given the Colombians a first-half lead.

Alessia Russo gets mobbed by her England teammates after scoring the winner against Colombia.Credit: AP

Lauren Hemp equalised before half-time and Russo struck the winner in the 63rd minute as England advanced to the semi-finals for the third straight time. They will face co-host Australia for a spot in the final.

Sarina Wiegman is also a step closer to her second consecutive Women’s World Cup final after her Netherlands team finished runner-up to the United States in 2019.

England lost in the semi-finals in 2015 and 2019, going out to Japan and the United States, respectively.

Wiegman led the Lionesses to victory in the European Championship last year, having won that competition with Netherlands in 2017.

With many of the favourites, including America, Germany, France and Japan, already eliminated, England will be increasingly confident that they can win their first Women’s World Cup.

They showed character to come back from Santos’ goal in the 44th at Stadium Australia.

Hemp evened the score in the seventh minute of first-half stoppage time when she capitalised on a mistake from Colombia keeper Catalina Perez.

AP

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