Australia have advanced to the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup for the first time, taking down France in a marathon penalty shootout in front of their home fans in Brisbane.
After the two teams were deadlocked through 120 minutes, it took an incredible 20 penalties to decide a winner, the longest shootout in the history of the tournament.
Australia had a chance to win when goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold stepped up to take a penalty with the score at 3-3, but she hit the post. But her teammates that followed were clutch as the shootout went to sudden death, with three straight players all converting to keep the hosts alive.
Arnold then managed to save – twice - from French midfielder Kenza Dali, after being ruled to have come off her line for the first save, but France goalkeeper Solene Durand kept her team alive, saving from Clare Hunt.
However, France couldn’t convert their next penalty, hitting the post, and Cortnee Vine was the hero for the hosts, scoring to send the crowd into delirium.