Australia’s footballers made it into a World Cup semi-final on home soil for the first time ever. Striker Sam Kerr’s team beat France 7-6 on penalties in Brisbane. It was 0-0 after 120 minutes. Mackenzie Arnold became a dramatic heroine. First, the goalkeeper saved Selma Bacha’s first penalty, after Eve Perisset’s shot at the post, Arnold himself missed the decision and also hit the post. Then she held against Kenza Dali, but left the line with both feet, but Arnold also had the repeat. Clare Hunt once again missed the decision against goalkeeper Solene Durand, who came on for the penalty shootout. But France’s Vicki Becho also showed nerves and hit the post, Cortnee Vine let Australia celebrate with the goal in the 20th penalty.
The French dominated for much of the first half, Kadidiatou Diani (8′) missed the best opportunity after a mistake by Alanna Kennedy. Despite the inferiority, the hostess had by far the best chance: Mary Fowler (41st) shot from seven meters, Elisa De Almeida just cleared the goal for the defeated Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.
In the second round, the Matildas showed a strong improvement from the start. As in the round of 16 against Denmark, Kerr came on in the second half to cheers from the 49,461 crowd, this time in the 55th minute. With her first ball action, she initiated a chance from Hayley Raso, and Peyraud-Magnin saved her long-range shot. A little later, the strong Fowler took off again, Peyraud-Magnin parried against the meanwhile overwhelmingly superior hosts. As a result, the French women increasingly freed themselves, but without becoming dangerous themselves. The game went into overtime scoreless. The Australians also initially had advantages in the extra time, but Les Bleues missed the best opportunity with a shot by substitute Becho (107th).