Fifa Women’s World Cup: hosts Australia triumph in dramatic shoot-out to reach semi-finals for the first time in history
- Australia edge out France with 7-6 victory in shoot-out, as Cortnee Vine scores the winning penalty
- Matildas to face either England or Colombia on Wednesday
Co-hosts Australia beat France 7-6 in a thrilling penalty shoot-out to reach the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup for the first time in their history on a night of drama in Brisbane on Saturday.
Australia now go to Sydney on Wednesday to face the winners of the final last-eight tie between England and Colombia.
Cortnee Vine scored the winning penalty to end a remarkable shoot-out that saw both teams take 10 spot-kicks, the quarter-final having ended 0-0 after 120 nerve-shredding minutes.
Vine sent the crowd into raptures and kept the Matildas’ dream of winning the World Cup on home soil alive.
Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold missed a chance to win the shoot-out when her kick hit the post, but then saved twice from Kenza Dali after the VAR spotted she had both feet off her line the first time.
Vicki Becho missed France’s 10th penalty, and it was left to Vine to take Australia through by beating France’s substitute goalkeeper Solene Durand, who had been sent on especially for the shoot-out.
