Australia made history on Saturday, advancing to the semifinals of the Women's World Cup for the first time, defeating France 7-6 on penalties after the match was tied 0-0 after extra time.
The Matildas, as Australia's national team is known, had never previously made it past the quarterfinals of the tournament. But on Saturday, they showed their resilience and determination in a tightly contested match against a strong French team.
The match was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams creating chances but unable to find the back of the net. In extra time, Australia had a golden opportunity to win the match when they were awarded a penalty, but Sam Kerr's shot was saved by French goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.
The penalty shootout was equally close, with both teams converting their first five penalties. It was left to Cortnee Vine to score the winning penalty for Australia, and she did not disappoint, firing her shot into the top corner of the net.
The victory is a major milestone for Australian women's football, and it will give the Matildas a huge boost of confidence as they prepare for their semifinal match against England or Colombia.
The Matildas have been one of the most improved teams in the world in recent years, and they are now one of the favorites to win the World Cup. They have a strong team with a mix of experience and youth, and they are playing with a lot of confidence.
If Australia can continue their momentum, they have a good chance of winning the World Cup for the first time. They will need to be at their best in the semifinals, but they have the talent and the determination to do it.
The victory over France is a major step towards that goal, and it is a moment that Australian football fans will never forget.