Australia reached the semi-finals of the Magic World Cup after the fiercest penalty shootout in the history of the tournament

It took 20 penalties, a versatility and the French suffer.

It took the longest and fiercest penalty shootout in World Cup history, men’s or women’s.

But at the end of the marathon quarter-final, with 49,000 fans standing in Brisbane, Australia stormed into the 2023 Women’s World Cup semi-finals in ecstasy.

For 120 minutes on Saturday night, the nation rose and fell with a back-and-forth match. After goal-line clearances and a stunning save that somehow kept him scoreless, the penalty shootout delivered a dramatic lifetime.

Both guards made saves. In the fifth round, Mackenzie Arnold scored a second goal, deflecting Yves Berest’s shot to the post. Then Arnold herself stepped up for the likely — but also — winner Pressured from the position.

This is how the marathon went. In the sixth round, Grace Giuro and Katrina Gouri led the penalty shootout. In the seventh round, France’s Sakina Kerchaoui smashed her goal off the crossbar. In the eighth round, Australian Ellie Carpenter snuck her pair off the left post.

In the ninth round, she saved Arnold from Kenza Daly – but video review nullified her heroics because her feet left the goal line a split second too soon.

Then, on the Restoration, Daly again denied it, putting Australia on the brink of history.

But French goalkeeper Solene Durand, who entered the match as a substitute in the 120th minute precisely for the penalty shoot-out, cleared the expectant Claire Hunt with a remarkably powerful left hand.

Then 19-year-old Vicki Beko, who helped tip the game in France’s favor, stepped up as a second-half substitute.

They almost won the title with a goal in regulation, but “we ran into a Goliath goalkeeper,” said French coach Hervé Renard later.

In the penalty shootout, I sent this goalkeeper, Arnold, the wrong way – but hit the base of the post.

So Courtney Fane, sparking wild celebrations, stepped up with the 20th shot of the penalty shootout.

Her teammates charged towards her while her French counterparts froze at midfield, hearts and bodies broken.

And Australia coach Tony Gustafson wept when 49,000 friends erupted in Brisbane and possibly millions elsewhere.

It erupted in Sydney, where thousands gathered in Tumbalong Park and Olympic Park.

broke out in Melbourne, where Flares instantly lit up in Union Square.

They broke out all over Brisbane, hours after seeing off Mulham outside the team hotel.

“Thank you!” Gustafsson bumped into the camera after minutes. “You are part of this win. … You belong on this team tonight. Everyone in this country.”

This World Cup has long been won by the people of Australia, and it is the most amazing and biggest Women’s World Cup ever. They lit it up with passion, with crowded stadiums and loud roars. They broke attendance records and made football an indispensable part of everyday life, to a degree that no Women’s World Cup host had ever seen before.

And now, they, Australia, have done what no Women’s World Cup host has done since 2003, and they have never Done: Reached the semi-finals.

They encountered much French resistance. For 120 minutes, they were held back by French goalkeeper Pauline Peraud-Magnin, and defender Eliza de Almeida’s thigh.

In extra time, it was France who rallied and looked likely to find an elusive winner. Picchu almost defeated Arnold. The Defenders Defending balls out of danger. The Australian nets did rebound, but an own goal was ruled out for a foul. The breakthrough did not happen.

In the end, said Reynard, “It was 50-50, but fate chose Australia.”

“We played a quarter-final against an entire nation,” he later added through a translator.

That nation was seen on telephones, on televisions, and on big screens in the centers of major cities. I watched with sons and daughters, with parents and friends. I moved alongside the players, who clung to each other during the shootout to calm nerves.

And then I celebrated as the coaches and officials of Australian football did with joy and mayhem.

Gustafsson said the shootout was an “emotional roller coaster”.

Arnold said the feeling afterwards was “unreal”.

At the post-match press conference, Australian reporters were annoyed to ask questions.

Gustafsson said the players “represent more than 90 minutes[s of] soccer. All 224 of our graduates were there. All the little kids this team wants to inspire, the next generation. … I’m probably one of the proudest and happiest coaches out there right now. Because I’m so happy for so many other people.”

They will all enjoy this happiness tonight. Then they will refocus on the semi-final match against the European champions, England. And they’ll think they can make another thunderous move, in front of yet another sold-out crowd on Wednesday night.

“I really, really believe this team can make history – in so many ways, not just winning football games, but the way they can inspire the next generation, how they can unite the nation, how they can leave a legacy,” Gustafsson said. And I think ‘Cause’ is why I believe in them so much. Because ‘Cause’ is so much bigger than just football. And when that pushes you…it’s a powerful tool that’s hard to stop.”