In arguably the biggest match in the Matildas’ history, Australia is gearing up for a quarterfinal against France at Brisbane Stadium.
Australia has turned it on in their last two matches, smashing Canada 4-0, before putting in a thorough and professional performance in their Round of 16 win over Denmark in front of a record crowd in Sydney.
Their clash against France is their biggest challenge yet, with Les Bleues undefeated at the tournament and scoring 10 goals in their last two matches, including a 4-0 drubbing of Morocco in the Round of 16.
Despite being outsiders for the match, the Matildas are being backed by all of Australia, with a sold-out and passionate crowd expected in Brisbane, as well as millions watching on from home and at live sites up and down the country.
Will it be enough to power them to a first-ever semifinal?
The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights for Matildas vs France at the 2023 World Cup. Follow below for complete results from the quarterfinal match in Australia.
MORE: Australia vs France betting preview, best bets, odds
Australia vs France score
| Score | Goalscorers | |
| Australia | — | — |
| France | — | — |
Starting lineups:
- Australia starting lineup (4-4-1-1): 18-Arnold (GK) — 21-Carpenter, 15-Hunt, 14-Kennedy, 7-Catley — 16-Raso, 19-Gorry, 23-Cooney-Cross, 9-Foord — 10-Van Egmond — 11-Fowler
- France starting lineup (4-4-2): Peyraud-Magnin (GK) — 2-Lakrar, 3-Renard, 5-de Almedia, 7-Karchaoui — 15-Dali, 8-Geyoro, 6-Toletti, 13-Bacha — 9-Le Sommer, 11-Diani
MORE: Watch every World Cup match live with fuboTV (U.S.-only free trial)
Australia vs France live updates, highlights from 2023 World Cup
1hr 20 mins from kickoff: The lineups have just been announced! Australia are unchanged, as superstar Sam Kerr once again starts on the bench, but expect her to play more minutes than her 10 minute cameo on Monday. France meanwhile have made one change from the side that defeated Morocco, as Maelle Lakrar has replaced Eve Perriset at right back.
🚨🇦🇺 @TheMatildas team news is IN!
Tony Gustavsson has named an unchanged XI to take on France in tonight’s @FIFAWWC Quarter Final.
TEAM NEWS 📰 https://t.co/9ZyPp8uIKM #FIFAWWC #DubAtTheCup #Matildas #AUS pic.twitter.com/LLPiaGtUrq
— KEEPUP (@keepupau) August 12, 2023
1hr 30 mins from kickoff: Les Bleues will be looking to spoil the party, though, and their coach Herve Renard is used to causing upsets at the World Cup, as he managed Saudi Arabia to a shock win over Lionel Messi’s Argentina at the 2022 men’s World Cup in Qatar.
Tout est prêt pour l’arrivée des Bleues🆗👌
🇦🇺🇫🇷 | #AUSFRA | #FiersdetreBleues pic.twitter.com/J22ZJAEwQT
— Equipe de France Féminine (@equipedefranceF) August 12, 2023
1hr 45 mins from kickoff: The city of Brisbane, like the whole country, is getting behind the Matildas for the biggest match in the history of women’s football in the country!
Feeling the love around Brissy! 💚💛#Matildas #FIFAWWC #TilitsDone pic.twitter.com/4EJNKOIdQF
— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) August 12, 2023
2hrs from kickoff: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News‘ live coverage of the Women’s World Cup quarterfinal clash between Australia and France. There has never been so much hype and anticipation for a women’s football match in Australia, with 50,000 fans and millions around the country getting ready to cheer on the Matildas as they look to qualify to the semifinals for the first time ever, as well as become the first host nation in 20 years to make it past the quarterfinals. It was a feat their opponents couldn’t achieve four years ago, and they would love nothing more than to make amends and spoil Australia’s party.
🇦🇺 M A T C H D A Y 🇫🇷
⚽: #AUSvFRA
⏰: 5:00pm AEST
🏟: Brisbane Stadium
📺💻📱: LIVE on @Channel7 & @OptusSport#Matildas #FIFAWWC #TilitsDone pic.twitter.com/3ZT2rjS1bh— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) August 11, 2023
Australia vs France lineups, team news
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson has seemed to strike gold with his lineup, as Caitlin Foord’s move to left midfield and Mary Fowler being shifted to the striker position has seen Australia’s attack go from clunky to clinical.
The pair were the players of the match in Australia’s win over Denmark, combining brilliantly for the opening goal, particularly with Foord and club teammate Steph Catley being a deadly combination down the left side of the field.
Sam Kerr is still likely not fit enough to start, and even then Gustavsson will not want to disrupt the rhythm the team has found in the last couple of games, but Kerr will probably be fit for 30 minutes of game time if she is required to turn the tide against a talented France team.
Gustavsson has not rotated much during the tournament and has been reluctant to make substitutions — and when he does, they usually come late in the match. He copped criticism early on in the tournament for this, and it will be interesting to see whether tired legs begin to affect the Matildas as they get deeper into the competition.
- Australia starting lineup (4-4-1-1): 18-Arnold (GK) — 21-Carpenter, 15-Hunt, 14-Kennedy, 7-Catley — 16-Raso, 19-Gorry, 23-Cooney-Cross, 9-Foord — 10-Van Egmond — 11-Fowler
France coach Herve Renard has rotated his team throughout the tournament, which may serve them well if their match against Australia goes to extra time.
They have had a different centre-back pairing for every match of the tournament so far; captain Wendie Renard will start, but her partner could be anyone of Estelle Cascarino, Elisa de Almeida and Maelle Lakrar.
They have two dangerous attackers in Eugenie Le Sommer and Kadidatou Diani who have been scoring goals for fun at the tournament, whilst Sakina Karchaoui and Selma Bacha have been combining well down the left wing.
Grace Geyoro has been a constant in midfield and will most likely start alongside Sandie Toletti as they will look to combat the influence of Kyra Cooney-Cross and Katrina Gorry.
France starting lineup (4-4-2): Peyraud-Magnin (GK) — 2-Lakrar, 3-Renard, 5-de Almedia, 7-Karchaoui — 15-Dali, 8-Geyoro, 6-Toletti, 13-Bacha — 9-Le Sommer, 11-Diani
Australia vs France live stream, TV channel
Fans around the world will be able to watch the third quarterfinal of the tournament on both TV and live stream, with the match being available to watch on free-to-air options in Australia via Channel 7, which has seen record numbers of viewers during the Matildas run to the quarterfinals.
| TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | FOX, Universo, Telemundo | Fubo, Fox Sports site/app, Peacock, Universo NOW Telemundo Deportes En Vivo (Spanish) |
| UK | ITV 1, RTE 2, STV Scotland | ITVX, RTE Player |
| Australia | Optus Sport, Channel Seven | Optus Sport, 7Plus |
| Canada | TSN1, TSN 4, TSN 5, RDS | TSN+, RDS app |
| India | Star Sports 1 | FanCode, Jio TV, Hotstar VIP, |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport 1 NZ, Prime TV | Sky Sport NOW, Prime TV |
| Singapore | FIFA WWC CH01 | meWATCH |
| Hong Kong | Now Sports Prime | Now Player |
| Malaysia | — | FIFA+ |
Fans in select regions of the world can stream the Women’s World Cup live on FIFA+, including in Japan, Brazil, Indonesia and Thailand.
