Of course it had to end with penalties. It would have been hard to script a more fitting ending to the Matildas’ quarter-final clash with France. Four years on from the nightmare in Nice, when the Matildas exited the last World Cup on penalties to Norway, the ghosts of that heart-wrenching defeat could be found at every turn at Brisbane Stadium on Saturday.
Just like Norway, France won the toss to shoot first – history shows that the team taking the opening spot-kick has a considerable advantage, statistically and psychologically. On both occasions the captain, Sam Kerr, was called upon in a clutch moment – four years ago with Australia’s first attempt, after Norway had converted theirs; this time as penalty taker number three, after the advantage had seesawed from Australia and then back to France.
