Gone were the ghosts of France 2019. The nightmare in Nice of four years ago – when the Matildas departed the last World Cup after a penalty shootout – a distant memory. This time around, Australia’s performance may have summoned demons for the French themselves, with the host nation keeping their World Cup dream alive for another game after a dramatic 20-penalty shootout.
You would have been forgiven for thinking this was a summer World Cup in balmy Brisbane, and even when the sun went down the heat did not dissipate for a second as Australia and France fought for a spot in the semi-finals over more than three hours. The game teetered back and forth. Regulation time ended goalless, as did 30 minutes of extra-time, and an epic penalty shootout was required to separate these two sides.
About Author
More Stories
Faizan Zaki, 13, rebounds from stunning gaffe to win National Spelling Bee crown
Defiant Knicks keep season alive with Game 5 win over Pacers in East finals
Jack Draper overcomes raucous French Open crowd to beat home hero Monfils