Australia and France haven’t been in a position to be separated after 90 minutes at Suncorp Stadium with the quarterfinal into extra-time at 0-all.
There have been two golden probabilities every within the first half but it surely was Australia’s Mary Fowler who had one of the best.
A desperation objective line save from French defender Elisa De Almeida denied Fowler an successfully empty internet late within the first half because the Matildas turned the momentum.
Sam Kerr got here off the bench within the fifty fifth minute and appeared to spark the Matildas but it surely was to avail as Australia performed out the primary scoreless draw after 90 minutes in our World Cup historical past.
Shootout — Australia 5-5 France (after 7 rounds)
France — Miss!
Mackenzie Arnold, you hero! Taking on France’s Selma Bacha, she picked the appropriate route and made the save.
Australia — Scores!
Caitlin Foord scores! Solene Durand picked the appropriate route however the ball snuck previous low into the underside left nook.
France — Scores
Kadidiatou Diani cooly slots it within the backside left nook
Australia — Miss!
Steph Catley has been saved as Durand selected the appropriate route.
France — Scores
Wendie Renard slots it as Arnold picks the incorrect approach.
Australia — Scores!
Sam Kerr cooly slots it down the center.
France — Scores
Eugenie Le Sommar incorrect foots Arnold and slots the objective.
Australia — Scores!
The youngest participant within the World Cup, Mary Fowler blasts it into the underside left.
France — Miss!
Mackenzie Arnold has touched it onto the publish — what a second!
Australia — Miss!
Mackenzie Arnold takes the shot however hits the publish herself. It’s now sudden dying.
France — Scores
Grace Geyoro scores however Arnold protests after the Frenchwoman stuttered in and appeared to cease. Not allowed to do this but it surely’s cleared by VAR.
Australia — Scores!
Katrina Gorry’s shot was touched but it surely’s nonetheless behind the web.
France — Scores
Sakina Karchaoui scores, blasting it off the crossbar and in.
Australia — Scores!
Tameka Yallop slots it in the appropriate aspect of the web as Durand went the incorrect approach.
7.37pm — And we’re going to penalties
Australia, cross your fingers — we’re going to penalties.
If you are nervous, you are not alone.
Elise Kellond-Knight mentioned: “I’m a wreck. No-one likes penalty shoot-outs or equal chances. We’ve ended up here. Do we? We love the excitement. I’m torn here. We love it. I don’t know if I can actually watch this unfold.”
7.33pm — ‘France’s Graham Arnold second’
France have made an enormous change in extra-time harm time.
With the sport seemingly headed for penalties, the French have exchanged Pauline Peyraud Magnin for Solene Durand.
It’s Durand’s third ever cap for France and so they’ll be hoping she will be able to do a “Grey Wiggle”.
You keep in mind — Andrew Redmayne subbed in for the penalty shootout and profitable Australia into the World Cup?
“It may be a Graham Arnold-type move for France,” David Basheer mentioned on Seven.
Let’s hope not.
7.07pm — ‘Never should have happened’: France objective denied
Australia have been given a lifeline after France appeared to attain off a nook they by no means ought to have had.
After France took a ball out over the goalline after which have been inexplicably given a nook, Les Bleus appeared to have scored off Wendie Renard’s header.
But it was denied after Caitlin Foord was dragged down — as Australia let loose a collective sigh of reduction.
“Can you believe it?! The France captain. And it’s going to be denied. No goal,” David Basheer mentioned on Seven.
“The referee’s intervened. And relief for Australia. On a corner that should never have happened. Wow! High drama at Brisbane Stadium.”
Grace Gill added: “And as you mentioned, a corner that should have never been a corner that should have never been a corner. Those wrongs have been righted in that moment.”
Basheer replied: “Nowhere to hide with technology these days. But, certainly, perhaps they need to have a look at glaring errors like that.”
6.52pm — And we’ve additional time
After 90 minutes, we now have additional time.
There’s been mountains of pictures however none have come off up to now.
Incredibly, it’s the primary goalless attract Australia’s World Cup historical past.
For these uninitiated, the match could have two 15 minute intervals of extra-time, regardless if a objective is scored.
But after that, we go to the dreaded penalty shootout and each nail in Australia will likely be bitten all the way down to the short.
6.38pm — ‘There is contact’: Huge World Cup drama
Should Australia have been handed a penalty shot?
It’s now contained in the final 10 minutes however Caitlin Foord was taken down within the field.
While she was taken down, the commentators questioned if there was just a little an excessive amount of contact from French defender Lakrar.
Grace Gill on 7: “There’s certainly a little tug on the shirt from Lakrar. There’s a bit of contact. Mentioned a little nick on the hair from the trailing boot of Wendie Renard.”
While there have been loads of probabilities, a bit of luck like a penalty there would have been simply what the physician ordered.
6.24pm — Can France scent an opportunity?
The second half has been practically all Matildas however France have made an attacking transfer with stirker Vicki Becho coming in for midfielder Sandie Toletti.
Can France scent an opportunity to counterattack?
6.14pm — Sam Kerr is in
It’s Tony Gustavsson’s earliest substitution of the event and Sam Kerr is within the recreation for Emily Van Egmond within the fifty fifth minute.
And her first contact confirmed she is the truth is the tremendous sub.
Her first contact noticed her run from midway to the sting of the field earlier than passing again in.
An unimaginable save was all that stopped a Hayley Raso bullet.
Sam’s entrance was not like anything.
“I have never heard a roar like that!” David Basheer mentioned on Seven.
“Goosebumps. That one gives you goosebumps,” Grace Gill agreed.
6.10pm — Another probability goes begging
The Matildas are making loads of probabilities early within the second half.
Mary Fowler was tripped and it allowed a free kick on the sting of the field.
But Alanna Kennedy’s shot fired into the wall.
Minutes later, Fowler once more had a shot after operating rings across the defenders but it surely was deflected vast.
If solely she’d handed again to the far publish — Caitlin Foord was vast open.
5.48pm — Fowler ‘not going to get a better chance’
Mary Fowler has had one of the best probability of the match turned away after an exceptional effort from Elisa De Almeida.
A cross from the objective line from Hayley Raso was blocked by a defender, with Emily van Egmond first to the ball.
But it dragged French goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud Magnin out and van Egmond discovered Fowler’s with the objective seemingly vast open.
But De Almeida got here from the clouds to push the ball over the crossbar on the deflection.
“Fowler, perhaps thought she had a little bit more time than she had a little bit more time than she did. Great defending,” Grace Gill mentioned on Seven.
“She’s not going to get a better chance in this World Cup, you wouldn’t think, Mary Fowler,” David Basheer added.
At halftime, former Socceroos John Aloisi mentioned: “An incredible opportunity here. The keeper comes out a little bit early and Emily van Egmond does it brilliantly here to cut it back for Mary Fowler. She did note see De Almeida there. She thought hit the target and it is a goal.”
“I can’t talk. My heart fell out watching that one,” Matildas star Elise Kellond-Knight mentioned on Channel 7.
“That was 100 per cent a goal chance. I don’t know how that didn’t go in. A bit of luck on our side which is a great point.”
Minutes later, Fowler had one other golden alternative after a close to excellent lofted by means of ball, however she couldn’t get a robust contact on it.
At halftime, it’s 0-all however the momentum was positively shifting late within the half.
5.25pm — Australia go shut
France have seemed actually sturdy to begin the match however Australia has had it first actual probability.
Emily van Egmond had earned a nook for the Aussies and it gave the Matildas an opportunity on the set piece.
But it hasn’t been a energy for Australia with Sam Kerr on the sidelines.
A kick to the close to publish was bouncing dangerously close to the objective mouth however was cleared off the road.
But it didn’t go too far and Katrina Gorry sliced it away.
5.16pm — Matildas survive ‘miss of the tournament’
France have been answerable for the early levels, asking loads of questions of the Matildas.
But France have missed a golden alternative go 1-0 up.
After a nook fell to Eugenie Le Sommer, her effort bounced to the ft of Maelle Lakrar nicely contained in the six-yard field.
But Lakrar someway missed, giving the Matildas a fortunate break.
5.09pm — France hearth the primary shot
The tensions are excessive already with France getting the primary large probability for the match.
Matildas defender Alanna Kennedy sliced a clearance and allowed Diani to get the ball and take a shot.
Luckily it skewed vast.
But there additionally seemed to be a shirt pull from Kennedy and followers have been questioning whether or not it ought to have been a card.
Luckily for Australia, the VAR didn’t decide it up.
Speaking on Channel 7, Grace Gill mentioned: “It is a poor clearance from Alanna Kennedy.
“Just that little tug of the shirt there. She escaped with that, Alanna Kennedy. She won’t get too many like that. She is riding that line and it is a fine line with VAR.
Former England defender Gilly Flaherty said on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra: “Alanna Kennedy really struggles with dealing with players like Kadidiatou Diani who has got pace.
“Kennedy is pulling Diani. It should be a foul and a yellow card. Diani was being too honest. Most strikers that I’ve played against would have gone down.
“She is getting pulled and it’s in a very dangerous position as well.”
5.01pm – And we’re underway!
Suncorp Stadium is completely buzzing with a spine-tingling rendition of Advance Australia Fair.
And now we’ve obtained 90 minutes motion to see if the Matildas could make it to a primary World Cup semi-final.
4.20pm – Socceroos legend not pleased with Kerr name
Tony Gustavsson simply made the largest gamble of his life in leaving Sam Kerr on the bench to face France.
Gustavsson mentioned Kerr would solely begin the sport if the workforce believed she was able to taking part in for all 90 minutes of the competition.
However, with the match probably extending to 120 minutes and with the potential of a penalty shootout, the Australian camp has resigned Kerr to taking part in instead.
Kerr didn’t participate within the pre-match heat up drills — an indication she won’t be used till the second half.
Socceroos legend John Aloisi mentioned on Channel 7 he needed Gustavsson to place Kerr within the beginning line up.
“Talking from a coach’s point of view, I would’ve loved to have seen Sam start,” he mentioned.
“If she’s fit enough to start I would’ve started her, because seeing the French at the back … Sam’s runs would’ve caused them problems.
“Mary Fowler and Emily van Egmond, they are great players, but they like to drop off the line and don’t really cause the centre backs that very much trouble. Let’s hope that Sam gets on.”
Socceroos star Elise Kellond-Knight additionally mentioned on Seven: “It’s contentious. It could’ve gone either way. What they’ve gone with here is a winning formula, so Tony has chosen not to change it.”
3pm – Fierce Kerr debate erupts earlier than kick-off
Whether to play Sam Kerr from the opening whistle towards France has been debated all week contemplating the Matildas captain has tasted a complete of lower than 20 minutes of motion within the 4 matches Australia has performed within the event.
The Matildas have additionally proven they will win with out Kerr, who missed her aspect’s three Group B video games earlier than approaching as a late substitute in Australia’s 2-0 round-of-16 win over Denmark.
There has been swirling debate and claims that Australia is healthier off resting Kerr — extensively thought-about probably the greatest gamers on the planet.
Matildas nice Heather Garriock on Saturday additionally appeared to name for Kerr for use as an affect participant off the bench.
Speaking on Channel 7’s dawn, Garriock mentioned: “Look, it comes down to the boss, Tony Gustavsson, and whether he feels starting her from the start. He said if she can play a full 90 minutes, she is going to start, so that comes down to the medical staff.
“I think she would be amazing to come off the bench … I just think the Matildas have played so well together and there are so many great players, X factor players.
“You have Caitlin Foord scoring goals, and Hayley Raso has scored three goals in the tournament and has been everywhere. Mary Fowler is unbelievable. I don’t know who you would lose, but having Sam Kerr off the bench or starting is going to challenge the French, for sure.”
Socceroos nice Robbie Slater, nevertheless, strongly disagrees.
In a column for revealed in News Corp newspapers across the nation on Saturday, Slater wrote: “Sam Kerr must start for the Matildas against France.
“It’s the grand occasion of a World Cup quarter-final, and she’s the best striker and goalscorer in women’s football, so she has to play from the opening whistle.
“It’s not a time for Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson to start doubting himself. There can’t be any regrets after Saturday night’s quarter-final.
“Imagine if Gustavsson delayed Kerr’s entry into the game, not giving her enough time to have an impact if the Matildas were in desperate need of help to remain alive in the tournament.
“Gustavsson would never forgive himself.”
2pm – Dan Andrews makes monumental Matildas name
Fed Square has been rocking for this yr’s Women’s World Cup and will likely be once more for the Matildas’ mega quarter-final conflict with France on Saturday night time.
Now Victorian Premier Dan Andrews is taking {that a} step additional, asserting Rod Laver Arena, the famed indoor venue that hosts the Australian Open and lots of different occasions and sits about 700m east of Fed Square, may also be thrown open to the general public to look at the match.
Entry is free to look at the Matildas on an enormous display in a venue that may cater to any climate, not like Fed Square, with 12,000 seats obtainable.
Originally revealed as Women’s World Cup, Matildas vs France reside: ‘Not going to get a better chance’
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
