Hervé Renard’s France team was eliminated on Saturday by Australia in the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup (0-0, 7-6 on the tabs). The objective set for the tricolor coach has not been achieved.
The meeting will have been tight and particularly tense. Spectacular, there was between Australia and France who met this Saturday, as part of the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup. Unable to decide between them during regulation time no more than during extra time, both teams put their destiny on the line in an indecisive penalty shootout. An exercise which will have finally benefited the Australians, qualified for the semi-finals of their competition (0-0, 7-6 on pens), in front of a stadium in fusion. For the Bleues, it is a second consecutive stoppage at this stage of a World Cup.
If the overall statistics of the match clearly show an almost perfect balance between Australians and Frenchwomen, the face of this meeting nevertheless offered a spectacle leaning on one side then the other. Thus, the first period saw the Habs a little more dangerous than their opponents with twice as many attempts and better possession. But things could have turned out badly if De Almeida had not saved his side in an incredible way by deflecting a strike from Fowler against the empty goal of Peyraud-Magnin (41st).
Visibly reinflated at the break, the “Matildas” then outrageously dominated a good part of the second period. In great difficulty, Peyraud-Magnin and Les Bleues folded in the face of multiple attacks from the Australians. Without breaking. Enough to offer the public an extension. With a first goal, but Kennedy’s own header was finally canceled by the referee, with the help of the VAR (100th).
A crazy session
The penalty shootout would therefore determine everything. With twists and turns. First shooter, Bacha missed her attempt, but Catley imitated her two shots later, putting the two teams tied on the session. Fifth French shooter, Perisset also missed her attempt. Semi-final ball at the end of the foot of Arnold who, like the Frenchwoman, saw her ball crashing into the frame. Three more shooters on each side, until Dali comes up against Arnold. For a shot stopped by Arnold. But the referee asked that the shot be withdrawn because the goalkeeper was in front of his line.
Crazy scenario, but far from over since Dali, on his second attempt, failed again against Arnold, again on the parade. New match point for Australia, but Durand pulled out a huge save against Hunt. And in the process, Becho, who had however taken Arnold on the wrong foot, found the base of the post. And it was finally Vine who offered the ticket for the semi-finals to the Australians. Hervé Renard and the Bleues had the objective of reaching at least the last four of the 2023 World Cup. The objective is missed. A little.
