Australia vs France – Women’s World Cup preview

• Co-hosts Australia looking to reach semi-finals for first time
• France were knocked out at quarter-final stage in both 2015 and 2019
• Winner will face England or Colombia

Australia and France are battling for a place in the Women’s World Cup semi-finals, with every chance that the winner of this quarter-final tie will make a it all the way through to the final.

Australia came into their home World Cup with huge expectations, only to lose star player Sam Kerr to injury and struggle in their opening two group games. But things have finally clicked in more recent outings, with more polished performances against both Canada and Denmark.

Now, they have the oportunity to reach the semi-finals for the first time, having been knocked out at the quarter-final stage in 2007, 2011 and 2015. The Matildas have already outperformed their 2019 efforts when it was a disappointing last 16 exit.

France have scored 10 goals across their last two games at this tournament against Panama and Morocco, but they have long been international football’s great underachievers.

Les Bleues usually start fast and end up fading, as at Euro 2022 a year ago, although it has been the reverse of that so far in 2023 after a 0-0 draw with Jamaica to begin with last month.

Australia vs France H2H record

Australia and France played a warm-up game in Melbourne a few days prior to the tournament starting, which the hosts won 1-0 thanks to a single goal from Mary Fowler.

Games between them haven’t been all that freuqent, with only three others in that last 10 years – each winning a friendly, while France edged a Cyprus Cup clash in 2014.

Australia were unbeaten across their first three meetings with France, all played in the space of a single week in January 2001 at the invitational Australia Cup.

Women’s World Cup 2023 – Australia & France results so far