When Matildas Dreamed of Flying High

The win gave Australia the confidence that they could do something big, and put more faith in coach Tony Gustavsson, who had been doubted for nearly three years in charge of the Matildas. When Australia meet the French women again in the quarter-finals today (August 12), the good things about that win will return.

The Australian press mentioned Mary Fowler's only goal in that match. ABC News looked back at Tony Gustavsson's difficult journey since accepting the job as Australia's coach in late 2020, with the goal of easing the pain of the team's defeat at the 2019 World Cup, when they lost to Norway in a penalty shootout in the round of 16. And people did not forget to mention that, although France was rated higher in class, ranking and professional level, Australia had an increasingly enthusiastic home crowd and had captain Sam Kerr back. That's not to mention the excellent form of Hayley Raso, who scored 3 goals in this tournament; Caitley Foord, Steph Catley or Mary Fowler herself, the hero of the victory over France nearly a month ago. A craze for women's football has also flared up fiercely in Australia.

The Australian team looks to the experience of Sam Kerr (centre)

How did Hervé Renard, the coach of the French women's team, explain the defeat that day? "We have only been in Australia for four days, the players did not sleep well because of the jet lag. But this quarter-final match will be different," Renard said in his pre-match press conference. France have scored the third most goals in the tournament, with 12, and although they are not at their best (that is how the French press is talking about the national women's team at the moment), we can certainly expect a very exciting match, with both teams hungry to go further. Australia have never gone further than the quarter-finals, France have only reached the semi-finals once, at the 2011 World Cup (they lost to the USA in that round and finished fourth). Now, would you choose Australia or France, in a match that may not be over after 90 minutes?

In the other quarter-final, it is not Colombia, who have reached the quarter-finals for the first time in their history, who are under great pressure, but England. The reigning European champions are not only rated higher because of their experience, having reached the quarter-finals of the Women's World Cup for the sixth time in their history, but also because of the quality of their squad, the star quality and the fact that the level of women's football in England is among the highest in Europe and the world. That pressure becomes even heavier when England have not shown many of the things that people expect from them. England struggled to overcome Nigeria on penalties in the round of 16, will be without star player Lauren James because of a silly red card in that match and replacing her will not be simple, when James's contribution is so great (scored 3 goals, made 3 assists). Colombia can completely cause difficulties for England, who have not won any of their last 3 knock-out matches (1 draw, 2 losses).

Spain and Sweden will meet in the first semi-final of the 2023 World Cup. Spain beat runners-up the Netherlands 2-1, while Sweden beat former champions Japan 2-1.

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