Australia kicks 10 penalty shoot-outs in the 2023 World Cup semi-finals
Lang Park Stadium, Brisbane this afternoon, August 12, witnessed the most dramatic shootout in the history of the Women's World Cup. Both teams missed only once in the first three innings. On the fifth turn, France's Eva Perisset hit the left corner, which was saved by Australia's keeper, Mackenzie Arnold. But right after that, it was the Australian goalkeeper who hit the right post and missed the opportunity to end the match.
In the next three innings, players from both teams made no mistakes. Kenza Dali stepped up to shoot the ninth for France, but was stopped by Arnold. VAR entered to determine that Arnold had stepped on the goal line before the opponent took the shot. Given a second chance, Dali still couldn't beat Arnold as he kept the angle of the shot. But Australia once again missed the opportunity when Clare Hunt could not beat goalkeeper Solene Durand.
In the 10th series of shots, young French striker Vicki Becho hit the post. This time Australia did not waste the opportunity when Courtnee Vine accurately scored a 7-6 victory in the penalty shootout.
France broke the plan when replacing the main goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin to give Solene Durand the opportunity - who is considered an expert in catching penalties. Before that, the two teams played for 120 minutes evenly, with France holding the ball 51% and slightly better than the finishing statistics (21-15) and finishing on goal (5-4).
The dramatic victory made coach Tony Gustavsson and many Australian players cry, when Australia entered the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup for the first time. They also became the first host from the US in 2003 to reach the semi-finals. They will wait for the winner of the match between England and Colombia at 17:30 today.
Australia: Mackenzie Arnold, Steph Catley, Alanna Kennedy, Clare Hunt, Ellie Carpenter, Caitlin Foord, Hayley Raso, Katrina Gorry, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Emily Van Egmond, Mary Fowler
France: Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, Maelle Lakrar, Wendie Renard, Elisa De Almeida, Sakina Karchaoui, Sandie Toletti, Grace Geyoro, Selma Bacha, Kenza Dali, Eugenie Le Sommer, Kadidiatou Diani.
