The Matilda’s vs France: The Greatest Victory in Penalty Shootout for Australia

Creative Writing, Field Experiences, Scott’s Sports, Sports

The Matildas had played really well throughout their world cup until they have to play against France which their known as the Les Bleues. While both Australia and France are motivated to advance to the Semifinals, the two teams have shown exceptional power and overall achievement. Australia’s Tony Gustavsson and France’s Hervé Renard both enjoyed a successful World Cup campaign. With an outstanding view of their 49,961 fans, the match was held at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Queensland.

The match started off with both teams doing well balance while Sam Kerr gets to start off in the bench just in case of any form of play when needed. At the 12th minute, france took the corner kick which Eugenie Le Sommer had a chance to pass it to Maelle Lakrar bit kicked off target. Australia had some moments but couldn’t get the finishing touches. During the 24th minute Maria Carvajal had signals an Australia throw-in in France’s half. Which quickly became Katrina-Lee Gorry of Australia gets in a strike, but is off target. At the 32nd minute, France took the corner kick and Maelle Lakrar tried to give the Les Blues on the scoreboard which Mackenzie Arnold save it from going in. A the 41st minute, Hayley Raso was about to get the goal for Australia which the french defense almost cost the chance with lack of communication. While Katrina Lee Gorry passed it to Mary Fowler she was about to score for Australia but a great defense from Elisa De Almeida had a massive block which France was lucky to not let Australia get a chance to take the lead which it ended up halftime 0-0. Both teams had caused mistakes and failed possession of the ball.

When the 2nd half began, France already give a fowl to Fowler which Australia will get the free kick but it was blocked. France had most possession but almost had a chance. At the 55th minute the whole crowd was excited for Sam kerr for her to take over the 2nd half of the match. The moment after she got on, Kerr almost got herself a goal and Hayley Raso nearly got herself the goal for the Matildas. At the 58th minute Australia took charge of the corner kicks which couldn’t finish the job at the end which Pauline Peyraud-Magnin the French Goalkeeper was being this massive to refuse the Matildas the chance of a winning opportunity. During in these moments, France had suddenly came more dangerous with the ball and the tactics. The match at Suncorp Stadium has been interrupted briefly for a check on Eugenie Le Sommer, who is down injured which she got hit in the nose. At the 82nd minute, Australia was able to drive forward but Caitlin Foord is called for offside. During the 89th minute, Australia’s Ellie Carpenter breaks free, but the strike goes wide of the post. At the 90th minute, France’s Selma Bacha misses with an attempt on goal. The match was so competitive and still scoreless which means it ends the regulation match and go to extra time.

When extra time began, both teams had played their toughest performance which only one side can win it to the semifinals. At the 95th minute, France surge into the attack at Suncorp Stadium but Elisa De Almeida’s header is off-target. At the 100th Minute, France took the corner kick and Wendie Renard had the goal for France but the referee wanted to turn the play over for offside she was also caught for a push to Australia. During the 105th minute, Caitlin Foord had full advantage of the ball and hand it to Cortnne Vine but almost got themselves a goal. Afterwards, it was another round of extra time and France continue to let the Matildas to struggle the possession which France has contacted to play dangerous. At the 106th minute Viviane Asseyi had the ball in the penalty box and gives it to Vicki Becho which Mackenzie Arnold made a powerful save. By the 110th minute, Lauren Fazer of France passed the ball to Grace Geyoro which Steph Catley of Australia defend it from getting the goal. During the final minutes of exratime, France made 2 subs included the goalkeeper. The Goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin was being replaced by Solene Durand which Peyraud-Magnin did phenomenal with the defense of disallowing goals for Australia. On the other hand, Eve Perisset is replacing Elisa De Almeida for France. After the final moments from both Australia and France, the match ended up to penalty shots.

While Australia and France both haven’t find a strategy to score a goal, they ended went to Penalty kicks and a lot of fans has enjoyed the match at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. The penalty kick also known as PK mode started off with Selma Bacha but made a weak kick for an easy save from Arnold Mackenzie. When Caitlin Foord of Australia took over, she scores by the left of the post. When Kadidiatou Diane of France took the penalty kick it was an easy shot by the left post. While Steph Caitley of Australia took her shot, it was save by Solene Durand to save France with hope. When Wendie Renard the most farce player of France took the shot which it was an easy goal which had no problem of the danger. By the time Sam Kerr the Capitan of Australia took over, she made a goal which roared the whole stadium to see her score the goal in front of the audience of her home country. She had shown pride what soccer can do for her aussie fans, which made her feel good about the penalty kick. When Eugenie Le Sommer of France took the shot, it was a goal on the right side. As soon as Mary Fowler of Australia took the shot, it was a goal on the left and Australia has believe that could win the Quarterfinals. When Eve Perisset of France and just it the post and misses which Austrlia can bring hope for the victory if they made it. When Mackenzie Arnold of Australia played against Solene Durand she almost give Australia the big win which it the right post. It was 3-3 and made it round 6 which it got electrified in Brisbane and all og the fans got amped up with moment of sudden death. Then Grace Geyoro of France kicked the ball and succeeds from the penalty spot which Mackenzie Arnold almost had it but her fingertips was short to give the Matildas a win. When Katrina-Lee Gorry of Australia took her luck, she scores and did the rockabye baby holding dance while Solene Durand of France failed to save it with her fingertips and Australia went wild. By the Sakina Karchaoui of France scores from the penalty spot, it hit the post but able to get over the line when France an extra life of pendents. When Tameka Yallop of Australia took the kick, she quickly tip toe the play and succeeds from the penalty spot 5-5 into round 8. When Maelle Lakrar of France took the penalty kick it succeeds for France for an another lead. While Ellie Carpenter of Australia took the penalty kick she scores off the post but manage to get in. Afterwards, it was Kenza Dali of France took the shot, she missed but Mackenzie was happy to save but has to redo it because she moved too early. When Clare Hunt of Australia gets ready to take a penalty, she was able to kick it center but the goalie was able to save it. By the time Vicki Becho of France took the opportunity to lead The Blues and just it the post but couldn’t hang on. Lastly, it was round 10 which it was leveled 6-6 but Cortnee Vine took the penalty kick which it could be the moment for Australia. The Matildas has won the Penalty Shootout and they whole team has ran out and celebrated on the pitch for another successful match which they managed to win the Quarterfinals for the first time in World Cup History for both men and women for Australia. They will play against England in the Semifinals on Wednesday.

The most important lesson for the Matildas was to never surrender the power of taking charge of the World Cup and bring in joy for the sport that elevates the team. Everyone in the squad worked so hard to believe in themselves and it wasn’t easy for Australia to keep their grip of saving themselves as the host nation of the World Cup.