Australia down France on penalties to reach FIFA Women's World Cup semis

Australian players celebrate after winning the penalty shootout - ReutersCo-hosts Australia defeated France 7-6 on penalties to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA Women's World Cup for the first time.The quarter-final between the two sides finished 0-0 after extra time on Saturday. Australia goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold denied three French penalty takers and missed one herself in a thrilling shootout, with Cortnee Vine stepping up to convert the decisive spot-kick and send Australia into a semi-final against England or Colombia."It's unreal," said Arnold. "At the end of the day, it's my job to keep the ball out of the net. And thankfully I could do that for them. But we all do it for each other out there, and they have my back 100%." Spain will play Sweden on Tuesday in Auckland for the other spot in the final.France, who could have reached semi-finals for the second time after 2011 with a win today, dominated the first half and extra time and will rue a few chances left out on the pitch as they head home.Australia forward Mary Fowler also fluffed several chances — one stopped by a sensational block from Elisa de Almeida — and captain Sam Kerr was unable to get a clear shot on goal after being introduced as a 55th-minute substitute."I would like to congratulate my players for the performance they pulled off today against the entire nation," said France coach Herve Renard."We came up against a goliath of a goalie. What a game, in normal time, in extra time and then during the penalty shootout." Comments Submit مضمون کا ماخذ:لاٹری ایپ کی تجزیات