Australia, breathe.
After a painstaking and tortuous penalty shootout which lasted 20 kicks, the Matildas are the first Australian team through to a World Cup semi-final. And no prizes for guessing who took top marks for the Matildas.
Here’s how Tony Gustavsson’s players fared in the penalty shootout win over France in the quarter-final at Brisbane Stadium on Saturday night.
Mackenzie Arnold - 9.5
What can you possibly say? Move over the Grey Wiggle, Australia has a new penalty kick queen. Made saves or forced misses on four of the 10 French penalties, and was absolutely stellar in the 120 minutes of normal time making a number of crucial saves, most notably from Vicki Becho in the second half of extra time. A perfect 10? Only if she had scored her own penalty to save a nation from hyperventilating for another 10 minutes.
Australia celebrate their side’s victory in the penalty shoot out.Credit: Getty
Ellie Carpenter - 7.5
Australia’s ultimate running machine who was solid at right back again, preventing France from making any significant incursions down her side. Will be a little disappointed with a couple of her end products in attack, but when she needed to make a penalty to keep her country in the World Cup, she did. And at the end of it all, she still didn’t look tired.
Clare Hunt - 8
Does anything ever faze her? Kept France’s lethal striker Kadidiatou Diani so quiet, she can probably add another 0 onto the offers flooding in from European clubs. Had her penalty to get Australia home in the shootout saved, but hey, who cares now?
Australia’s Clare Hunt battles France’s Kadidiatou Diani for possession.Credit: Getty
Alanna Kennedy - 7
Veteran defender had a nervous start and was lucky to escape punishment for a small shirt grab on Diani when she was trying to get through on goal, but was a towering figure in the second half and extra time with crosses swinging into the box. Had her blushes spared when she put through her own net, only for it to be chalked off for a foul.
Steph Catley - 6.5
Australia’s run-on captain didn’t have the same attacking potency with Arsenal clubmate Caitlin Foord, but made one huge intervention deep in extra time to prevent a French tap-in. Despite scoring both penalties in the group stage, missed her kick in the shootout.
Hayley Raso - 7
Australia’s top goalscorer threw her weight around in the early stages, leaving a boot in on Sakina Karchaoui. Forced a great save out of Pauline Peyraud-Magnin with a rasping 20-metre strike after a Sam Kerr run. Another who ran herself into the ground and was eventually replaced in extra time.
Kyra Cooney-Cross - 7
Shook off an early challenge down the back of her achilles from Sandie Toletti, and gave her typical tireless display in the Matildas’ engine room. Technically one of Australia’s best, but understandably looked leg weary in the latter stages.
Kyra Cooney-Cross.Credit: Reuters
Katrina Gorry - 7.5
In her 99th international, the diminutive midfielder never stopped moving and was cleaner in possession than against Denmark. Played a sumptuous ball to put Mary Fowler through on goal, but left her mark with a boot to Eugenie Le Sommer’s face and a heavy challenge on Sakina Karchaoui, which resulted in a yellow card. Nailed her penalty to keep the shootout going ... just.
Caitlin Foord - 7
Australia’s heroine in the round of 16 match against Denmark was afforded little opportunity by the French. Might have been played in by Mary Fowler when wide open in the second half, and set up Cortnee Vine for a great chance in extra time. Tad quieter than usual, but started the shootout off on the right note with her ice cool penalty.
Matildas attacker Mary Fowler.Credit: Getty
Emily van Egmond - 6.5
Would have lamented giving away possession cheaply a few times in the opening exchanges, but slowly built into the game and her desperation created a gilt-edge chance for Mary Fowler. Made way for Sam Kerr after 55 minutes.
Mary Fowler - 8
How did she not score? Technically, so far ahead of every Matildas teammate and fashioned a number of chances, most notably the gilt-edged chance cleared off the line in the first half. Might have also passed to Foord when a French clearance fell to her feet. At the heart of everything good about the Matildas’ attack. Did you see her penalty? A rocket.
Substitutes
Sam Kerr - 6.5
Predictably, started from the bench. Sent on after 55 minutes for van Egmond and immediately brought a different energy to the game and her teammates. Showed some neat touches thereafter, but not afforded the space she might have desired as her teammates tired.
Cortnee Vine - 7
The Matildas’ John Aloisi. Or is John Aloisi now the Socceroos’ version of Cortnee Vine? Nevertheless, scored the penalty which sent Australia into a first World Cup semi-final after coming on in first period of extra time, almost with an immediate impact off a Foord cross. An instant national hero.
Tameka Yallop - 5
Came on for Kyra Cooney-Cross with five minutes left of extra time - and scored her penalty in sudden death. Ice in her veins.
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