BRISBANE, Australia: Australia edged France on penalty kicks Saturday to reach the Women’s World Cup semifinals for the first time.
Cortnee Vine took Australia’s 10th penalty from the spot and calmly converted to give the Matildas a 7-6 win in the shootout after the quarterfinal match finished 0-0 after regulation and extra time.
The Australians missed two earlier chances to clinch a dramatic shootout but ultimately it didn’t matter as they ended a long curse for tournament hosts. The Australians became the only team other than the United States to advance past the quarterfinals of a Women’s World Cup as the host nation.
Australia will play either England or Colombia next Wednesday in Sydney for a spot in the final.