BY Remi Sulola
Australia have advanced to the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup for the first time ever.
The quarter-final game between The Matilda’s and Les Bleues of France ended goalless after regulation time, as well as the 30 minutes of extra time.
The co-host then defeated France 7-6 after 10 rounds of penalty kicks at the Brisbane Stadium on Saturday.
The penalty shootout took 10 attempts from each team in an all-time classic — the longest shootout in Women’s World Cup history.
But Mackenzie Arnold, the Australian goalkeeper, made a number of crucial saves before youngster Cortnee Vine buried the winning penalty for the co-host to win the clash.
In the second game of the day, England edged Colombia in a 2-1 comeback to advance to the semi-final.
Leicy Santos’ goal for Colombia in the 44th minute looked like it was going to send Nelson Abadia’s tutored side into the break ahead, but deep into stoppage time, Lauren Hemp netted the equaliser for England.
The Lionesses, who started the second half gun blazing, saw their prowess in front of goal yielded the much-desired result as Alessia Russo put Sarina Wiegman-Glotzbach’s ladies ahead in the 63rd minute.
Australia will face England in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
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