This Quarter Final fixture became the Talk of the Town - make that the country - as home favourites, co-host Australia, filled Brisbane Stadium with 49,461 fans who lifted the roof in their support of the Matildas.
This game had more than enough excitement to test the heart of even the fittest fan. An extra 30 minutes failed to produce a goal and so it was a penalty shootout to decide who would progress to the Semi Final and a game against England or Colombia in Sydney. It was tense, very tense! A total of 20 penalties were taken before Australia's Cortnee Vine held her nerve to slot home the 20th spot kick and send the stadium into raptures. It was au revoir France! But they more than played their part in this game which propelled the Matildas into the stratosphere. (12th August 2023).
Sadly The Scarf didn't put in appearance. It was left in the car to ponder The Terrors overseas fixture against Jersey Bulls later in the day.
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THE TEAMS EMERGE
France and Australia emerge from the tunnel to a raptuous reception from the near 50,000 crowd. French colours were hard to spot in a sea of golden yellow.
National Anthems followed. Let the game begin!
Left: The teams emerge on the Big Screen .
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A SEA OF YELLOW!
The early evening kick off gave everyone the opportunity to observe the full house and packed stands at Brisbane Stadium. With the full house came the tremendous support for the co-hosts - support that left a ringing in the ears. France had their support too, but it was vastly outnumbered by the yellow clad Matildas' supporters.
Left: The most sought after ticket in Brisbane ensured the Full House sign went up.
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SAM KERR - CAPTAIN AUSTRALIA
The Australian media made Sam Kerr's calf injury the biggest news story of the World Cup. After a 10 minute cameo in the previous game, Kerr was brought on in the 55th minute against France.
Left: Kerr is seen being put through her warm up by a trainer in readiness to make an impact for the Matildas.
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DELAYED ACTION
Whilst the game was shown simultaneously on the big screens behind each goal, the action on the screen was between one and two seconds behind the live action on the field of play.
This is evidenced by this image as Australia are about to take a corner.
Left: Live action versus the big screen.
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NOT A GOOD START
France took the first penalty through Selma Bacha. Mackenzie Arnold saved the kick giving the Matildas an instant advantage.
The miss was greeted with a huge cheer right around the stadium.
Left: Mackenzie Arnold dives to save Selma Bacha's spot kick.
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CAITLIN FOORD SCORES
French substitute goalkeeper, Solène Durand, goes the right way but the power of Caitlin Foord's penalty beats the goalkeeper's dive.
Advantage Australia.
Left: Caitlin Foord's penalty gives Australia the early advantage.
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EUGÉNIE LE SOMMER SCORES
Eugénie Le Sommer, France's record goalscorer, sends Mackenzie Arnold the wrong way and keeps France in the game.
Left: Eugénie Le Sommer and Mackenzie Arnold both go to their right.
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IT'S MARY FOWLER'S TURN
Mary Fowler keeps Australia in the game with a low shot rifled into the net.
Left: Solène Durand goes left as Fowler does the same into the opposite corner.
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THE NINETEENTH PENALTY
Vicki Bècho steps up to take the 19th penalty, the 10th for France. The scores are level, each side having missed three penalties. The penalty is almost perfect - except that it swerves and hits the foot of the left hand post. Bècho can only hold her head in horror and all of France feels for her.
Left: Vicki Bècho's penalty heads towards the post with Mackenzie Arnold nowhere to be seen.
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NO PRESSURE!
Cortnee Vine stepped up to take the 10th spot kick for the Matildas. There were huge expectations of a nation and even greater expectations from the packed stadium. As cool as a cucumber, Vines focussed and calmly slotted her kick past the outstretched hand of Solène Durand.
Queue for the crowd - and the whole nation - to erupt in celebration.
Left: Cortnee Vine slots the winner.
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