Women's World Cup Daily: Australia, England set up a must-watch semifinal
The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup semifinals are set after Australia and England beat France and Colombia, respectively, on Saturday. Spain and Sweden will play in the other semifinal. This is the first time the Women's World Cup will have two first-time semifinalists (Spain and Australia), according to FIFA.
Here's a recap of everything that happened in the final day of the quarterfinals and a preview of the semifinals:
WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED
— Australia advanced to the World Cup semifinals for the first time in its history at the men's or women's tournament. Australia also became the first host nation to reach the Women's World Cup semifinals since the United States (1999, 2003).
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— A record 20 shots were taken in Saturday's penalty shootout. It was the third penalty shootout of the tournament, equaling the most in Women's World Cup history (2011).
Read more: Australia edges France on PKs, first Women's World Cup host in semis since 2003
— England is the first team to win a knockout stage game at the Women's World Cup after conceding first. The last eight teams to score first won the match, with the other three ending scoreless in regulation, according to FIFA.
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— England only has one defeat in its last 37 games in all competitions. That loss came vs. Australia, 2-0, in an April friendly at Brentford. England has never won a Women's World Cup semifinal despite playing in the last three.
Read more: England shows resolve vs. Colombia, will meet Australia in semifinals
RECAPPING THE DAY
Assist of the Day: A friendly bounce
A good through ball from England's Georgia Stanway turned into a great one when it was deflected off Colombia defender Daniela Arias' foot. Stanway wasn't credited with the assist, but with the way things played out, she probably should have been.
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Save of the Day: De Almeida keeps France in it
France likely wouldn't have even made it to a penalty shootout had it not been for Élisa de Almeida's incredible first-half save. With France goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin off her line and the goal completely exposed, de Almeida ran toward the center of the goal and blocked the shot from going in. Win or lose, that type of effort is always appreciated.
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Goal of the Day: The best of the tournament?
If Leicy Santos' goal wasn't the best of the tournament so far, it's close to it. With no forward-runner and no teammate open at the far post, Santos took it upon herself to take a shot from a difficult angle. The result? A floating shot that Mary Earps didn't stand a chance against. So what if it came in a loss?
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Must-See Moment: Penalty shootout drama
Penalty shootouts don't get much better than this one between Australia and France on Saturday. From a goalkeeper attempt to a penalty retake, it had everything.
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LOOKING AHEAD
The Women's World Cup will resume with the first semifinal on Tuesday, followed by the second semifinal on Wednesday. Here's a full breakdown of the schedule:
Tuesday, Aug. 15
Spain vs. Sweden (coverage begins at 3 a.m. ET, with kickoff at 4 a.m. on FOX)
Wednesday, Aug. 16
Australia vs. England (coverage begins at 5 a.m. ET, with kickoff at 6 a.m. on FOX)