Women's World Cup Round of 16: Kerr's shoot-out miss proves costly, Norway through to quarters

After a frantic clash, Norway squeezed through to the Women's World Cup quarter-finals with a 4-1 shoot-out win over Australia.

Norway reaches quarterfinal for the first time since 2007 at the FIFA Women's World Cup after it beat Australia in a penalty shootout.

Norway claimed its place in the quarter-finals of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup with a 4-1 penalty shoot-out victory over Australia after an enthralling 1-1 draw in Nice.

Australia captain Sam Kerr, on the back of scoring four against Jamaica, stepped up to take her team's first penalty, but sliced a wild effort way over, with Ingrid Engen able to seal the win after Emily Gielnik saw her spot-kick saved.

 

Isabell Herlovsen's second goal in as many games looked to have been sending Norway through, with Australia having been controversially denied a penalty when - after a consultation with VAR - referee Riem Hussein overturned her initial call to award a spot-kick late in the first half.

But Elise Kellond-Knight scored directly from a corner seven minutes from time to force extra-time, when Australia were reduced to 10 as Alanna Kennedy received a straight red card.

The Matildas was fortunate that Norway's Vilde Boe Risa's audacious effort struck the bar, but its luck ran out in the shoot-out. Norway struck in the 31st minute, Herlovsen slotting beyond Lydia Williams after latching onto Karina Saevik's precise pass.

Australia were awarded a penalty when Maria Thorisdottir was adjudged to have handled, but the referee overturned her decision following a lengthy VAR check.

But after Kerr had a goal disallowed offside, Australia's dominance paid off as Kellond-Knight's in-swinging corner found its way in through a crowd of players.

With Thorisdottir fortunate not to concede a penalty for a clumsy tackle on Tameka Yallop, Caroline Graham Hansen almost compounded Australia's frustration, only for her cross-shot to stay out after hitting the inside of the woodwork.

It was advantage Norway, though, when Kennedy saw red for hauling down Lisa-Marie Utland – VAR confirming the referee’s decision – before Risa's strike rattled the crossbar as Australia held out for penalties.

However, inspirational captain Kerr sent her penalty high above the goal, and after Ingrid Hjelmseth had saved Gielnik’s effort, Engen stayed calm to send Norway into the last eight, where they will face England or Cameroon.