Australia keep World Cup dream alive with epic penalty shootout win over France

Substitute Cortnee Vine stepped up as the host nation’s 10th penalty-taker, and became Australia’s hero as she sent the Matildas through to the semi-finals for the first time in the team’s history.

G'DAY: Australia players celebrate after winning the Women's World Cup quarterfinal. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)

Even when the sun went down over balmy Brisbane the heat did not dissipate for a second as Australia and France fought for their spot in the semi-finals over more than three hours.

Regulation time ended goalless, as did 30 minutes of extra-time, and a breathtaking penalty shootout was required to separate these two sides.