FIFA Women’s World Cup: Australia and England will clash in the semi-finals

Sydney (IANS). Co-hosts Australia advanced to the semi-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time after beating France 7-6 in a thrilling penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw.

Australia will take on England in a blockbuster semi-final match in Sydney on Wednesday, while Spain and Sweden face off at Eden Park a day earlier, reports Xinhua.

These four teams, which have secured a place in the semi-finals, have not won the trophy so far, which means that this time the tournament is sure to get a new champion.

The quarter-final match in Brisbane ended goalless, after a hard-fought 120-minute draw.

After both the teams were tied goalless after regulation time and extra time, a penalty shootout was resorted to.

Australia sealed their place in the semi-finals by winning 7–6 on the last shot of the penalty shootout that lasted 10 rounds. It was also the longest shootout in the tournament’s history.

In the second quarter-final, England recorded an emphatic win against Colombia and retained their claim to a maiden title.