Australia progresses to Women's World Cup semifinals after ...

Women’s World Cup 2023: Live scores, fixtures, results, tables and top scorers

Australia reached the Women’s World Cup semifinals for the first time, sending a sell-out crowd in Brisbane into ecstasy, with an incredible penalty shootout victory over France.

The co-host had played in the quarterfinals on three previous occasions but had never made it beyond the last eight. On home soil, the Matildas’ fortunes changed and history was made in a thrilling conclusion to the match.

Cortnee Vine, the 20th penalty taker in the shootout, sealed victory, securing a 7-6 win on penalties and a tie against either England or Colombia.

France had a goal rightly disallowed in extra-time, and with neither side able to break the deadlock over 120 minutes this entertaining quarterfinal had to be decided on penalties.

Both teams missed from the spot in the shootout – but it was France’s four misses which proved the most costly, giving Vine the chance to end a tense shootout and spark wild celebrations among the Australian players in front of nearly 50,000 equally jubilant fans.

As the Matildas did a lap of honor around the pitch, fans danced, waved flags and cheered a team which has captured the imagination in the sport-loving country.

Australia head coach Tony Gustavsson told reporters that he is “so freaking proud” of his team and thanked supporters. “You are part of this win,” he said, paying tribute to the crowd. “You belong to this team tonight, every single person in this country.”

It was a cruel way for France to lose, especially as Les Bleues had had plenty of opportunities to score during a match in which momentum switched from one team to the other throughout.

Ultimately, Vicki Bècho’s miss – the 19-year-old hit the post to present Vine with the opportunity to send her country into a frenzy – was the costliest of all.

But Mackenzie Arnold’s role must not be forgotten either. Having missed a chance herself to seal Australia’s progress during the shootout, the Australia goalkeeper bounced back to save Kenza Dali’s spot-kick. With the initial penalty having had to be retaken as the goalkeeper was deemed to have come off her goalline early, Arnold held her nerve to save Dali’s second effort.

France head coach Hervé Renard told reporters that “fate chose” a winner. “Tonight, we have to be proud of these girls who played an exceptional match,” he said. “It went from right to left, from left to right – to say who deserved it more is difficult.

“Congratulations to Australia, and congratulations to all the staff who have done a wonderful job.”

More to follow.

Hilary Whiteman contributed reporting.