Ingrid Systad Engen hit the winning penalty as Norway beat Australia 4-1 in a shootout in Nice to reach the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals.
Isabell Herlovsen put Norway ahead before Australia were awarded a penalty which was overturned after a lengthy video assistant referee review.
Elise Kellond-Knight equalised from a corner before Australia’s Alanna Kennedy was sent off in extra-time.
Australia captain Sam Kerr missed her penalty as Norway won through.
“Only big players can miss penalties, because small players don’t take them,” said Australia boss Ante Milicic when asked about Kerr’s miss.
It is the first time since 2007 that Norway, who will meet either England or Cameroon in Le Havre on Thursday, have reached the last eight.
How the penalty shootout unfolded
- 1-0: Caroline Graham Hansen sends keeper Lydia Williams the wrong way to get Norway up and running.
- 1-0: Sam Kerr skies her attempt and Norway have the advantage.
- 2-0: Guro Reiten makes no mistake as she drills past Williams.
- 2-0: A brilliant save by Norway keeper Ingrid Hjelmseth keeps out substitute Emily Gielnik’s attempt.
- 3-0: Norway captain Maren Mjelde hits it low and hard – and finds the net.
- 3-1: Stephanie Catley gives Australia faint hope.
- 4-1: It’s all over – Engen wheels away in celebration after her spot kick sends Norway through.
In an incident-packed game at Allianz Riviera, Norway took the lead through Herlovsen’s clinical finish after Karina Saevik’s defence-splitting pass before a moment of controversy.
German referee Riem Hussein pointed to the spot after the ball struck Chelsea defender Maria Thorisdottir as she attempted to clear.
Kerr placed the ball on the spot but there was a long delay before the decision was overturned, sparking celebrations among Norway’s players.
Australia, aiming to reach the quarter-finals for a fourth successive World Cup, suffered further frustration when Kerr had the ball in the back of Norway’s net in 60th minute – only for it to be ruled out for offside.
They were minutes from going out when Kellond-Knight’s low, curling corner went through a sea of legs and straight into the net.
Australia appealed for a penalty deep into stoppage time at the end of normal time when Tameka Yallop went down inside the penalty area, while Hansen hit the post before extra time.
There was more drama to follow as Kennedy received the first straight red card of this tournament for hauling down Lisa-Marie Utland as the Norway substitute threatened to burst clean through on goal.
Australia keeper Williams produced outstanding saves to deny the impressive Hansen and Vilde Boe Risa, while Norway hit the woodwork a second time through Risa’s attempt from 35 yards before the shootout.
“I don’t know if there are any words to describe how I’m feeling but, more importantly, how the girls are feeling,” added Milicic.
“I’m disappointed that I couldn’t help them realise a dream that they’ve been waiting for for a long time. In the end I take full responsibility for that.”
Unwanted history for Kennedy – the stats
- Alanna Kennedy is the first Australian to be sent off at the Women’s World Cup since Alicia Ferguson against China in the 1999 edition.
- Caroline Graham Hansen had 11 of Norway’s 27 shots against Australia, the most by a player in a single match at this year’s tournament.
- Australia have only progressed from one of their five knockout stage games at the Women’s World Cup. This was their first-ever penalty shootout in the competition.
- The opening goal was the 50th Australia have conceded in Women’s World Cup history, making them just the fourth team to concede that many at the competition (Nigeria 63, Japan 57, Canada 51).
- Isabell Herlovsen has scored in consecutive Women’s World Cup matches for Norway, having netted in just one of her previous 10 in the competition.
