BRISBANE, Australia — Hervé Renard walked away from the narrowest of Women’s World Cup quarterfinal exits and instantly began plotting France’s subsequent alternative to avenge a loss to Australia.
Co-host Australia held fifth-ranked France 0-0 in regulation and additional time after which received 7-6 in a penalty shootout on Saturday in Brisbane. The Australians superior to the semifinals for the primary time and can subsequent face European champion England.
Renard’s French lineup will go residence, their consideration already turned to the Olympics beginning subsequent July 26 in Paris.
“Now we have to look forward,” Renard mentioned. “We’re organizing the Olympic Games in Paris. So, we’re awaiting for you. We’ll have our revenge!”
The French will certainly be there as hosts, however Australia hasn’t accomplished Asian qualifying. Still, the sentiment is all the identical.
In March, Renard changed Corinne Diacre as head coach of a French girls’s crew that was in turmoil. Captain Wendie Renard was contemplating skipping the World Cup and a bunch of senior gamers seemingly weren’t within the body for choice.
He rebuilt the squad, recalling the likes of main scorer Eugenie Le Sommer, topped Group F with wins over Braziland Panama, after which trounced Morocco 4-0 within the spherical of 16.
With these victories, the well-traveled Renard grew to become the primary head coach to win video games at each the ladies’s and males’s World Cups. His upset victory with Saudi Arabia over eventual champion Argentina was one of many highlights of the lads’s World Cup in Qatar final 12 months.
Against Australia, although, he mentioned it was like taking over a whole nation. The Australians are co-hosting the match with New Zealand, and the federal government, the soccer federation and the general public are deeply invested within the success of the Matildas. It was the third straight loss for France in a Women’s World Cup quarterfinal, together with in 2019 as host.
The French had probabilities in each halves of regulation time, and in further time – when the Australians appeared to concede an own-goal just for the referee to disallow it.
Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold repelled each French effort on aim after which made three clutch saves within the shootout.
Renard despatched on shootout specialist Solene Durand deep in further time to exchange France’s beginning goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin. She made three saves, which might usually be sufficient to win it. But, as Renard mentioned, it’s a recreation of lower than inches.
“We knew the qualities of Durand. She’s amazing on the penalty shootout,” Renard mentioned. “If we’d received, I used to be the king of the world. But this night I’m nothing as a result of we misplaced for some millimeters.
“This evening it was 50-50, but destiny chose Australia. It was a fantastic image of women’s football.”
Organizers have bought greater than 1.7 million tickets, a Women’s World Cup file, and there’s been sellout crowds for the massive video games – together with two exceeding 75,000 for Australia‘s games at Sydney’s Stadium Australia.
The expanded 32-team match has added an additional component of pleasure, and clearly extra video games.
Australia is the one non-European crew left within the match now that it’s right down to 4, with its subsequent recreation towards its oldest sporting rival for a spot within the last towards both Sweden or Spain.
Renard wouldn’t thoughts seeing the Aussies win it, if only for serving to to placed on such a vibrant match.
“I’m wishing you all the best,” he mentioned. “I wish to repeat another time: This competitors was improbable for us. Beautiful cities, lovely stadiums, the ambiance was improbable.
“It’s a shame for us to go home. But, all the best to you now – I’m sure you can win this World Cup.”
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