Last-8: Australia vs France – Match preview, live stream, kick-off time, prediction, team news, lineups
Australia – tournament co-hosts – will attempt to book their spot in the semi-finals of the 2023 Women’s World Cup when they face France on Saturday.
- Match 59: Australia vs France (08:00) – ITV
- 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup fixtures for Saturday 12 August
Match Preview
France won’t make this easy, but Australia have a home crowd and star player Sam Kerr might be back in the starting lineup. The Matildas have a slight advantage and go into the game as the favourites – but only by a thin margin. And if this tournament is anything to go by, anything can happen!
The winner of this match will face the winner of the England/ Colombia match in the semi-finals.
Australia preview
Australia had a shaky start in their home tournament, narrowly defeating the Republic of Ireland 1-0 before succumbing to a 3-2 loss against Nigeria on Matchday Two.
However, they found their rhythm in the last group match, confidently defeating the reigning Olympic champions Canada 4-0 to avoid elimination.
In the round of 16, Tony Gustavsson’s team displayed another dominant performance against Denmark. Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso each scored a goal, sealing a 2-0 victory and securing Australia’s fourth-ever entry into the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals.
Despite their history of falling short at the quarter-finals in their past three appearances, the Matildas are now aiming to make history by advancing to the semi-finals for the first time.
Notably, Australia already managed a victory against France earlier this year, securing a narrow 1-0 win in a pre-tournament warm-up match.
France preview
After their initial goalless draw against Jamaica, France has successfully gathered momentum, setting them up with a confident attitude for the upcoming Saturday match.
Following their 2-1 triumph over Brazil for their first victory in the tournament, France displayed their prowess by overwhelming Panama in a high-scoring nine-goal spectacle, concluding the group stage in style. Their proficiency in scoring continued in the round of 16 clash against Morocco, where Kadidiatou Diani and Kenza Dali secured a two-goal lead before Eugenie Le Sommer’s double sealed a commanding 4-0 triumph.
France is determined to break the pattern of being ousted in the quarter-finals, a fate they endured in the 2015 tournament against Germany and the 2019 edition against the USA.
A victory over Australia would not only propel Les Bleues into their second semi-final but also mark their first semi-final appearance since 2011 when they advanced to the last four by defeating England in a penalty shootout.
Team News
Australia’s star player Sam Kerr could be brought into the starting lineup after recovering from a calf injury to make her first appearance of the tournament as a late substitute against Denmark.
Gustavsson will keep faith with the settled back four of Ellie Carpenter, Clare Hunt, Alanna Kennedy and Steph Catley.
Having scored three times in Australia’s last three matches, Raso will continue to offer a goal threat from the right flank.
As for their opponents, Maelle Lakrar did not feature against Morocco due to an injury issue, but she is expected to be fit for Saturday’s quarter-final tie.
However, Lakrar may have to settle for a place on the bench, with Elisa De Almeida likely to retain her place in central defence alongside Wendie Renard.
After following her hat trick against Panama with another goal against Morocco, Diani will be looking to continue her fine form when she features up front against Australia.
Australia possible starting lineup:
Arnold; Carpenter, Hunt, Kennedy, Catley; Raso, Gorry, Cooney-Cross, Foord; Kerr, Fowler
France possible starting lineup:
Peyraud-Magnin; Perisset, Renard, De Almeida, Karchaoui; Dali, Geyoro, Toletti, Bacha; Le Sommer; Diani
WTX Sport predicts Australia 1-2 France
Whilst the tournament co-hosts will have the advantage of a home crowd, we think their run might come to an end here. France have just that extra bit of experience to see them over the line.
