BRISBANE, Australia, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- After ten rounds of penalty shootouts, the host Australian team eliminated France 7-6 and advanced to the semifinals of the 2023 Women's World Cup.
On August 12, the Australian players celebrated after the victory. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Yibo
The fierce quarter-final kicked off at 5pm on the 12th at Brisbane Stadium, with Australia and France playing 0:0 in regular time and extra time, with both sides playing penalties for ten rounds. In the end, the three-hour match ended with Australia beating France 7-6. This is the first time in Australia's history that they have reached the last four of the Women's World Cup.
France took the initiative in the opening game. In the eighth minute, striker Diani dribbled the ball into the box alone, but his shot was slightly deflected. In the 33rd minute, France won a corner kick and during the scuffle in the box, Lacoral's shot was destroyed by Australia. In the 41st minute, Australia missed a great chance to score, facing an empty goal, Fowler kicked the goal, but was blocked by the leg of French defender De Almeida, and the Frenchman avoided.
Australia's Fowler (third from left) and France's Toletti (fourth from left) compete for the top spot on August 12. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Yibo
In the second half, Aussie number one striker Kerr came off the bench to cheers from the audience, and her appearance immediately boosted the morale of the team. In the second half, the Australian women's team created a lot of chances, and Fowler repeatedly created dangers, but unfortunately they could not be converted into goals.
After that, the smell of gunpowder on both sides became stronger, and players continued to fall to the ground due to collisions. The two teams fought 0-0 in regular time and went into extra time.
In extra time, Australia Kennedy scored an own goal, but the referee ruled the goal invalid. In extra time, both sides still failed to score and the game came in a suffocating penalty shoot-out, with France taking the lead.
In the first round, Basha was saved and Faulder scored to give Australia a 1-0 lead. In the second round, Diani hit the penalty and Catley was saved, 1:1. In the third round, both captains took the penalty, with both Renard and Kerr scoring to make it 2-2. In the fourth round, Lezomer and Fowler both hit, 3:3. In the fifth round, Perise failed to score and Australian goalkeeper Alexander-Arnold hit the post. In the sixth round, both Geyoro and Gori scored, 4:4. In the seventh round, Karshawi and Yalop both scored, 5:5. In the eighth round, both Laclal and Carpenter scored, 6-6.
On 12 August, Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold (bottom) saved a penalty from France's Basha in a penalty shootout. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Yibo
In the ninth round, Dalí's penalty was saved, but due to the goalkeeper's early movement, the ball was awarded a heavy penalty, and the ball was saved again; Hunt then made a free throw, and the score remained 6-6. In the tenth round, Beschu hit the post and Vain scored as Australia eliminated France 7-6 and advanced to the semi-finals.
Source: Xinhua News Agency