Australia hangs on to home World Cup dreams and progress to last-4 after dramatic win over France on penalties

Pure, unadulterated joy for an entire nation; Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Brisbane, Australia: After nearly three hours of nail-biting drama, the home crowd in green and gold were rewarded with a historic moment, as Australia progressed into the semi-finals of a World Cup for the first time, beating France 7-6 on penalties. 

A penalty shootout with endless twists and relentless tension saw Aussie goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold produce crucial saves and opportunities for the Matildas to settle the shootout early, with substitute Courtnee Vine eventually slotting home the decider. A match which has already broken Australian TV records, the Matildas are just 90 minutes away from playing a final on home-soil, with England the final hurdle and their semi-finals opponents in Sydney on Wednesday.

The deciding moment, delivered by Vine; Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

“It makes you feel alive… this is what life is about, creating memories with the ones with the ones you love the most," said Aussie head coach Tony Gustavsson. "To be able to do that tonight with this team has been amazing."

The victory felt more fulfilling considering the performance of the French throughout the majority of the 120 minutes. The first to settle in, Les Bleus were ferocious in their free-flowing, speedy offence, while proactive and disciplined in their defence, with the backline ready to clip the wings of speedy forwards in Raso and Foord.

The result was wave after wave of pressure absorbed by the Matilda defence. Kadidiatou Diani almost caught them napping in the 8th minute, when a poor clearance by Alana Kennedy allowed Diani to sizzle a shot, missing the goal by mere inches. Another crucial opportunity landed at the doorsteps of Maelle Lakrar in the 12th, an easy tap-in flying way over the crossbar amidst the chaos from a French corner.

Arnold would be tested numerous times, with any offensive attempt from Australia fizzling out in the final third. But as half-time loomed nearer, the imperious French defence started to show some cracks, with Peynard-Magnin failing to close down on a cutback by Raso. Emily van Egmond would tip the loose ball towards Mary Fowler for an easy shot at an open goal, only for Elisa De Almeida's last-gasp interception keeping the scoreline intact. Peynard-Magnin would be tested again just a few minutes later, as a masterful throughball found Fowler in the box, her shot duly smothered by the French goalie.

Fowler (in yellow) denied from close-range; Elsa/Getty Images

After perhaps a rousing half-time speech, Australia were a team reborn in the second half. Pressing high in France's half, chances came in a flurry, and mistakes too. Sam Kerr was subbed on shortly after, her first contribution helping Raso make a magnificent effort for goal, with Peynard-Magnin producing an equally great save. She would let herself down a couple of minutes later, gifting the ball to Fowler in her own box, the resulting shot denied by a crucial block.

Despite this early storm and the electrifying atmosphere, the co-hosts were the ones not making the most of their opportunities as France clung on. Frustration was clearly settling in, the cagey tone highlighted when Gorry's high boot met Le Sommer's face, her nose now adorning a bright red bruise. The bodies continued to take a knock, when in the 84th, a seemingly innocuous goal kick looked to be in control of Lakrar, only for Foord to sneak the ball from her. A lucrative opportunity at goal would be denied as Karchaoui flung herself at the ball, requiring some medical assistance afterwards.

In extra time, France would reclaim some of their offensive edge from the first half, linking up nicely through the thirds and winning set pieces. It would be a set piece–a corner won controversially by super-sub Vicki Becho in the 100th minute–that looked to have sealed the tie for France, as Kennedy headed the ball in her own net. The horror from her face took time to erase, even when the referee quickly disallowed the goal, spotting a foul from Renard.

Australia saved from a heartbreaking conclusion; Elsa/Getty Images

The latter half of extra time would bring forth even more opportunities for the French. With oceans of space around her, Diani would receive the ball and set up Becho, her shot from the edge of the box brilliantly poked away by Arnold in the 107th. Just a few minutes later, Aussie hearts would be in mouths when Geyoro's low cross would graze by Arnold's gloves, with only a desperate intervention from Catley denying Becho an easy tap-in.

With just a few sparks of counter-offence in response, the two sides had no choice but to be only separated on penalties, with French coach Herve Renard swapping his goalies, bringing in penalty specialist Solene Durand. But it would be her counterpart Arnold stealing the thunder, saving the first penalty of the shootout from Selma Bacha and sending Brisbane into delirium. France would then be given one of their first lifelines when skipper Steph Catley's effort was saved. 

Arnold's fortunes would swing wildly as the drama heightened–she would again put her side at an advantage by denying Eve Perisset, but her own spot kick just after would bounce off the post, the shootout now entering sudden death. Arnold would then deny Kenza Dali, then had the save overturned by VAR, before saving the retake as well. Given the soap-opera levels of drama, Clare Hunt would again fail to clinch the tie with Durand producing an excellent save. With two efforts already missing, Becho would make it three, allowing Vine to finally end the shootout and create history.