FranceVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 August 2023 | 8:00 am | Women's World Cup | 2022/23 |
Match Report
Arnold’s Rollercoaster Penalty Shootout Sends Hosts Through to the Semi-Final 
West Ham goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold was Australia’s hero in the penalty shootout as the hosts reached the World Cup semi-final for the first time.
The two teams played out a goalless nervy draw and at the end of the seesaw penalty shootout, Vicki Becho missed and Courtnee Vine stepped up to score the winner in the 7-6 shootout.
The first half was a seesaw contest that France started better and Australia finished better.
Aussie defender Alanna Kennedy was dispossessed by Kadidiatou Diani and after outmuscling the defender, the France striker fired a shot just wide.
Diani appeared to have been held back by Kennedy and despite her protests after the shot was taken, she will regret not going down in the area.
France again went close, this time from a corner.
The ball dropped to Sandie Toletti, who volleyed goal wards. Her shot was going wide but Maelle Lakrar was standing own the post and only had to tap home.
But it comes to her too quickly and she slices her effort over from two yards out.
At the other end, Caitlin Foord went close from an Australian corner but Aussie goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold was called into action and made a brilliant double save.
Arnold denied Diani before the second ball fell to Lakrar, who took a wicked shot at the near post but the West Ham shot stopper tipped it round the post.
However, it was Australia who had the best chance of the match as a mix up in defence allowed Emily van Egmond to get to the ball before France keeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.
The midfielder squared the ball to Mary Fowler and the Manchester City striker thought she had an open goal but Elisa de Almeida sprinted back and blocked the shot.
Substitute Sam Kerr made an instant impact as she slid the ball to Hayley Raso and the striker’s shot from distance was well matched by Peyraud-Magnin.
Australia were firmly on top as a ricochet in the box meant the ball fell to Fowler on the penalty spot but her powerful shot was straight at Peyraud-Magnin.
The latter stages was a cagey affair with neither side creating many clear cut opportunities but France began to dominate.
Arnold came to Australia’s rescue in the second half of extra time as she tipped a fierce effort from teenager Vicki Becho over the bar.
Grace Geyoro had a go from a very tight angle which Arnold spilled but skipper Steph Catley was able to hack the ball clear with two France players behind her, ready to tap the ball in.
After 120 minutes, the match went to spot kicks.
Selma Bacha took the first penalty and was denied by Arnold before the Matildas took the lead through Caitlin Foord.
Diani sent Arnold the wrong way to put France on the board and Steph Catley’s penalty was saved by substitute Solene Durand.
Sakina Karchaoui and Sam Kerr’s penalties cancelled each other out.
Eugenie Le Sommer sent Arnold the wrong way before Mary Fowler blasted the ball into the net.
Eve Perisset's penalty was saved by Arnold and the goalkeeper stepped up but hit the post.
Grace Geyoro’s penalty just squeezed past Arnold and Katrina Gorry just about did the same as the home crowd breathed relief.
Sakina Karchaoui smashed the ball into the top corner and Tameka Yallop scored.
Maelle Lakrar cooly dispatched before Ellie Carpenter scored an excellent penalty.
Kenza Dali's penalty was saved by Arnold but Clare Hunt was denied by an excellent save.
Becho hit the post and this time Cortnee Vine slotted the winner.
Ground
| Suncorp Stadium |
|---|
| Suncorp Stadium, 40, Castlemaine Street, Milton, Brisbane City, Queensland, 4064, Australia |
Ben Jaycock
I am a Sports Journalism & PR graduate from Staffordshire University. During my time at Final Whistle, I have covered the LOI National League, international games and the Women’s National League. Outside of Final Whistle, I am a researcher for World Rugby and a writer for The Rugby Paper.
Cortnee Vine wins it. 7-6
Bago hits the post. 6-6
Clare Hunt is denied by an excellent save. 6-6
Kenza Dali's penalty is saved again. 6-6
But the penalty will be retaken as Arnold is off her line. 6-6
Kenza Dali's penalty is saved. 6-6
Ellie Carpenter scored an excellent penalty. 6-6
Maelle Lakrar cooly dispatches. 6-5
Tameka Yallop scores. 5-5
Sakina Karchaoui smashes the ball into the top corner. 5-4
Katrina Gorry just about did the same as the home crowd breathed relief. 4-4
Grace Geyoro's penalty just squeezes past Arnold. 4-3
Arnold steps up for her penalty but hits the post. 3-3
Eve Perisset's penalty is saved by Arnold. 3-3
Mary Fowler blasts the ball into the net. 3-3
Eugenie Le Sommer sends Arnold the wrong way. 3-2
Sam Kerr scores the equaliser. 2-2
France take the lead through Sakina Karchaoui. 2-1
Steph Catley's penalty is saved. 1-1
Diani sends Arnold the wrong way. 1-1
Caitlin Foord puts Australia ahead. 1-0
Selma Bacha takes the first penalty and is denied by Arnold. 0-0
Full time in extra time: Australia 0-0 France
La Sommer has a shot that is palmed away by Arnold.
France subs: Eve Perisset and Solene Durand replace Elisa De Almeida and Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.
Four additional minutes to be played.
Corner comes to nothing and we look set for penalties.
Australia win a corner in the final minute.
Selma Bacha has a shot that goes well wide of the bar.
Australia sub: Tameka Yallop replaces Kyra Cooney-Cross.
Grace Geyoro has a go from a very tight angle which Mackenzie Arnold spills but skipper Steph Catley is able to hack the ball clear with two France players behind her, ready to tap the ball in.
All France. Australia are dropping deeper and deeper.
West Ham keeper Arnold is at her very best diving to her right to tip a fierce effort from teenager Vicki Becho over the bar.
From the kick-off Australia burst forward but Sam Kerr can't pull off the final, killer pass.
We're back underway.
End of first half of extra time: Australia 0-0 France
Australia sub: Hayley Raso is replaced by Cortnee Vine.
France have the ball in the back of the net but Maelle Lakrar is judged to have committed a foul.
Australia get their first chance of extra time but Katrina Gorry skews a cross behind for a goal kick.
In Brisbane it's all got a little scrappy as Australia's Ellie Carpenter takes out Selma Bacha on the halfway line. No card this time.
France start with some comfortable possession before burtsing foward. Katrina Gorry breaks up the attack with a late challenge on Sakina Karchaoui and gets the game's first yellow card.
Extra time is underway.
Full time: Australia 0-0 France. Extra time to come.
Some desperate defending from Australia as France pile on some late pressure.
Four minutes of additional time to be played.
Carpenter has a shot that is wasted by it going high and wide.
Top defending from France's Sakina Karchaoui who sprints back to stop Caitlin Foord from setting up Hayley Raso for a certain one v one.
Attendance: 49,461
Corner to France comes to nothing.
After enduring heavy pressure at the start of the second half, France are the ones dominating possession.
France have a corner that is comfortably cleared.
France substitution: Vicki Becho replaces Sandie Toletti.
A ricochet in the box means the ball falls to Fowler on the penalty spot but her powerful shot is straight at Peyraud-Magnin who saves well.
Kerr picks out Rasso and her shot on goal is well saved by Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.
Australia sub: Sam Kerr replaces Emily van Egmond.
Eugenie Le Sommer arrives at the back post but her shot is well wide.
The corner is overhit and goes straight out of play.
Diani breaks through the Australian defence and wins a France corner.
France clear their lines.
Mary Fowler has a great opportunity as another wobble by the France defence gives her possession in the box but her shot is deflected behind for a corner.
Free kick to Australia in a dangerous position is hit straight into the wall by Kennedy.
Back underway.
Half time: Australia 0-0 France
One additional minute to be played.
Australia have the best chance of the match as a mix up in defence allows Emily van Egmond to get to the ball before Peyraud-Magnin. The midfielder slides the ball to Mary Fowler and her shot on goal is blocked by by a vital intervention by Elisa De Almeida.
The ball drops to Sakina Karchaoui who has a wild shot that sails high and wide.
Australia keeper Mackenzie Arnold makes a fantastic double save. The second ball to France's Maelle Lakrar, who takes a wicked shot at the near post but the West Ham shot stopper tips it around the post.
France win another corner after Kyra Cooney-Cros is disspossed.
Eugenie Le Sommer has a pop from range but her deflected effort is pushed away by keeper Mackenzie Arnold.
Steph Catley has a wide free-kick for the hosts and the defenders come up but France keeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin is decisive and punches the ball away.
Caitlin Foord can't get enough on to her flick-on at the front post and it results in a scramble in the box. There are bodies everywhere but France eventually get the ball away.
Australia win their first corner.
France dominating possession and territory as it stands, quietening the home supporters.
The corner drops to Sandie Toletti who volleys goalwards. Her shot is going wide but France's Maelle Lakrar is standing on the post and only has to tap the ball home. It comes to her too quickly though and she slices her effort over from about two yards out.
Australia deal with the corner initially but a follow-up cross is then blocked behind for another set piece.
France win the game's first corner.
Alanna Kennedy is dispossed by Kadidiatou Diani and after outmuscling the defender, the France striker fires a shot just wide. She appeared to have been held back and will regret not going down in the area.
Hayley Raso cuts inside before delivering a delicious ball which just misses Caitlin Foord and France keeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin in the area.
Wendy Renard nearly looses the ball on the halfway line but the France defender recovers to nip the ball away from Mary Fowler.
We're underway