Co-hosts Australia beat France 7-6 in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw on Saturday to reach the FIFA Women’s World Cup semifinals for the first time, while England edged Colombia 2-1 to also progress.
The Matildas will play England in a blockbuster in Sydney on Wednesday, while Spain and Sweden face off the day before at Eden Park.
This grouping of four semifinalists guarantees that there will be a first-time World Cup winner crowned this tournament.
The quarterfinal in Brisbane ended goalless after a nerve-jangling 120 minutes couldn’t separate Australia and France.
In a see-saw of a shootout, Australia missed two chances to seal victory, including from goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold whose attempted winner smashed into the post.
