The Matildas’ penalty shoot-out heroics in Brisbane did something no other sport has managed to do since Cathy Freeman won gold at the Sydney Olympics – it has united the entire nation.
After so many years of hurt and heartbreak, maybe football in Australia was due a spot of luck.
And however else you describe Australia’s 7-6 penalty shoot-out win over France in truly astonishing scenes in Brisbane on Saturday night, there’s no doubt luck was on the Matildas’ side.
But didn’t they earn it?
After 120 minutes of a truly exhilarating encounter watched by 49,461 spellbound spectators inside Brisbane Stadium and millions more on TV and at live sites around the country, Cortnee Vine’s side-footed spot-kick belatedly sent France packing and Aussies everywhere into raptures.
All across the nation – from heaving live sites in Sydney and Melbourne, to Aussie rules fans congregating on the concourse and in corporate suites to watch on TVs around the MCG, to Brisbane Lions and Adelaide Crows coaches Chris Fagan and Matthew Nicks delaying their post-match press conference to tune in on a mobile phone – this truly was the event that stopped the nation.
(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
In countless news articles and post after post on Sunday – including that incredible tweet from journalist Jacqui Felgate of Emirates passengers watching in mid-flight – we saw just how much the Matildas’ shoot-out win meant to the entire country.
But things could have been so different were it not for the individual heroics of goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold.
Arnold and her French counterpart Pauline Peyraud-Magnin went toe-to-toe in a gripping opening 90 minutes, with both goalkeepers pulling off a string of saves to keep the scores locked at 0-0 after regulation time.
And 29-year-old Arnold – who was Australia’s third-choice goalkeeper at the Tokyo Olympics – had already turned in a player of the match performance even before she tipped substitute Vicki Becho’s shot over the bar deep into extra-time.
Before then Les Bleues thought they had gone in front when Alanna Kennedy headed into her own net in extra-time, only for referee Maria Carvajal to rule the goal out for a foul on Caitlin Foord in the build-up.
It was the slice of luck the Matildas needed – not least because the ball had clearly gone out off Becho before France were incorrectly awarded a corner that led to the phantom goal.
It was a rare mistake from the Chilean whistleblower, who let the game flow and was never once overawed by the parochial home crowd.
There was another heart-in-mouth moment when veteran French striker Eugénie Le Sommer raced clear at the end of extra-time, but the unbeatable Arnold once again stood firm at her near post.
And then… that shoot-out.
I’ve attended plenty of State of Origin fixtures in Brisbane and I’ve never once heard a crowd make as much noise as it did on Saturday evening.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
The decibel levels were off the charts – and from my vantage point, it looked like Arnold’s fifth penalty had clattered in off the post for a split second.
But the Aussie shot-stopper saw her penalty rebound off the frame of the goal, while France’s substitute keeper Solène Durand saved both Steph Catley and Clare Hunt’s efforts – the latter with an astonishing one-handed save – all to no avail.
Instead, it was Arnold who proved the hero – with a little help from the foot of the post – and her Herculean performance ranks alongside John Aloisi’s penalty against Uruguay and James Troisi’s winner in the Asian Cup final in the pantheon of Aussie football’s greatest moments.
And that, really, is what the Matildas run to the semi-finals – where they will face England at Stadium Australia on Wednesday night – is all about.
We’re no longer watching ‘women’s’ football. This is the world game bringing people together the way no other sport can.
And when the Matildas run out in front of another sold-out crowd in Homebush on Wednesday night – with millions more watching on TV – we’ll find out whether they can extend their magical run in what has already been one of the most momentous months in the history of Australian sport.
high horse
Roar Rookie
It’s not about football, it’s about your desire to boast
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
You may rarely agree with me - - however - - your point is something I've argued about previously. You are entirely correct - - in a compacted tournament scenario it is ridiculous that they run extra time at all; and in particular where there may be discrepancies in days of turn around from - for example a qtr final to semi and semi to 'grand' final. Far, far better to either go straight to penalties or to award the win to the higher seeded side or create at very least a tournament specific tweak to the scoring system (which in essence defaulting to higher seeded could be regarded as). There's no perfect scenario - - however it's entirely possible that team 'A' after group stage might have played 3 games with extra time come the final compared to team 'B' none. That's an extra game. Obviously the argument is to just get out there and win the game in regulation time. But that only holds if both sides are playing the same opposition. I know there's no perfect scenario and in a tennis Grand Slam if player 'A' wins all matches in 3 sets and player 'B' takes 4 and 5 sets.......so be it.
sheek
Roar Guru
Simoc, Not necessarily, an accidental handball whereby the player could not possibly avoid is treated differently to a possibly avoidable handball. As I understand it, not all handballs are treated equally. There is an explanation out there somewhere.
Will
Roar Rookie
The Matildas and Socceroos are the two national teams that could bring the whole nation together, I always say this about the game here. They are our a flag bearers and face when we compete internationally and leagues underneath them should be doing what they can in supporting and facilitating them and giving what they need for those two national teams to be successful on the world stage. Because when they do it it helps the game and overall the country be united as one when the world is getting more divided.
astro
Roar Rookie
Agreed, but funding is a separate issue.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
But it unifies us all year round, every year. Summer at home, Winter away. I think that counts as something. In fairness Football doesn’t do that. And also the biggest bat n ball sport on the globe.
Lazza
Roar Rookie
A commonwealth sport that isn't even part of the Olympics?
NoMates
Roar Rookie
Crowds in QLD are by far the worse, the FA should have just looked at Roar games where 3k crowds at home games proves it and even worse 7k crowd at a finals match. I mean just look at the last Socceroo match played there. Games should have went to Perth.
Nakinz 14
Roar Rookie
Go the Matilda’s .. from New Zealand .. you’re an inspiration for the next generation of girls who wanted be like you ..we all cheering for you across the ditch .. my only wish please win it in normal time .. those shoots out are killing my heart .. All the best You done your country proud
matth
Roar Guru
He may have been slightly more talented than the slowest left wing in the history of sports
Buddy
Roar Rookie
Mike, my boys were also born there, delivery suite 10 - small world - they all love football too although it might have been the influence of a “soccer obsessed euro immigrant”.
Megeng
Roar Rookie
In the Nigerian game the English looked really strong with their penalties at the end. Let’s hope the Matildas can win it in game time this week
sheek
Roar Guru
Para, Thanks for that. I was thinking along the lines if we had to choose between a public holiday & more money for women's sport then obviously the latter is more appropriate. Some may call it a fault but I tend to be blunt when I choose to be, & some Roarers in the rugby codes have a problem with that, especially when I state the obvious problems of those codes. But at present I can't fault the Matildas or this world cup, it's been exhilarating. The Matildas remind of how sport once was before money became corrosive to the soul. Sadly, I think women's football will become equally entitled & cynical as the men when more money flows in. But let's hope that day (the entitlement & cynicism) is still far off!
Grem
Roar Rookie
That was such a great welcome to country with him singing Waltzing Matilda in an aboriginal dialect and then getting the crowd to sing as well. Our players loved it too.
Grem
Roar Rookie
I was confident that Clare Hunt would slot hers in and we’d win at that point. She just seems to be Mrs Reliable. She didn’t!
Grem
Roar Rookie
That was Jeff Thompson’s approach to fast bowling. It worked very well for him.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Apparently they had an upset loss to Bowral - who would have thought.
Sydneysider
Roar Rookie
it's amazing. Sydney is going to have the game at Stadium Australia and then the live sites at Parra Square and Darling Harbour and finally the 2 other big stadiums will also have live sites - CommBank Stadium at Parramatta, Allianz Stadium at Moore Park. all capital cities will also have live sites. the power of the world game is unsurpassed. Amazing. Cherish this once in a lifetime event.
matth
Roar Guru
She’s running about 13km a game at the moment too. A treasure
matth
Roar Guru
I went totally random, figuring if I had no clue until the moment of impact neither would the keeper. It wasn’t the most successful strategy