NICE, France (AFP) – Sam Kerr was one of two Australian players to miss a penalty as Norway beat the Matildas 4-1 in a shoot-out following an engrossing 1-1 draw on Saturday to reach the quarter-finals of the women’s World Cup.
Ingrid Engen converted the decisive spot-kick for the Norwegians after both Kerr and Emily Gielnik had failed to convert for the Australians in Nice.
Norway had earlier taken the lead through Isabell Herlovsen before being pegged back by Elise Kellond-Knight scoring direct from a corner late on.
Nobody could find a winner in extra time, although Australia had Alanna Kennedy sent off, but the 1995 world champions had the last laugh and will go through to a quarter-final against either England or Cameroon.
‘‘It looked like we hadn’t done anything other than penalties our whole life. It was really controlled and a fantastic team effort in the shoot-out,’’ said Caroline Graham Hansen, one of four Norwegian players to score from the spot.
For Australia, it is a painful end to their hopes of at least making the quarter-finals, as they had done at each of the last three World Cups.
‘‘I don’t know if there are any words to describe how I’m feeling but, more importantly, how the girls are feeling,’’ said Australia coach Ante Milicic.
As Kerr and Australia go home, Norway remain on course to meet their stated objective of finishing among the medals despite coming to the tournament without their biggest star, Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg.
