Australia secures historic Women's World Cup semifinal berth, beats France
text_fields
Sydney: Co-hosts Australia scripted history by advancing to the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup for the first time, triumphing over France in a riveting penalty shootout that concluded with a score of 7-6.
The astonishing shootout unfolded on Saturday, leaving spectators on the edge of their seats and ultimately paving the way for an exhilarating encounter with either Colombia or England in the upcoming round.
The tension-laden contest unfolded in Brisbane, where the quarter-final match between Australia and France remained deadlocked at 0-0 after an intense 120 minutes of play. This gridlocked stalemate pushed both teams to the limit, but the Matildas, as Australia's women's national football team is known, demonstrated remarkable resilience, ultimately clinching the victory in the dramatic penalty shootout, reported AFP.
Substitute Cortnee Vine emerged as the unexpected hero for the Matildas, showcasing her composure as she converted the decisive penalty during the sudden-death phase of the shootout. This triumphant moment ignited celebrations among the home supporters, painting the stadium in a jubilant atmosphere.
Adding to the drama, Australian skipper and celebrated striker Sam Kerr entered the match in the second half to an uproarious welcome. Despite her impact, the stalemate persisted, leading to a challenging extra time period where the French displayed dominance. Nevertheless, the Matildas' unwavering determination secured them a spot in the shootout.
The shootout drama saw both teams trading successful penalty kicks, with Kerr notably contributing to the Matildas' scoreline. The situation intensified as the shootout extended to sudden-death rounds, culminating in an astounding 6-6 scoreline. The suspense reached its zenith as both sides faltered, missing their respective penalty kicks.
Vicki Becho faltered in her attempt for France, creating the opportune moment for Cortnee Vine to etch her name in history. Vine confidently seized the moment, slotting the winning penalty and etching Australia's name in the annals of Women's World Cup history.
