Mackenzie Arnold, one of the heroes of the Matildas’ epic Women’s World Cup quarter-final shootout victory over France, described the match as “the craziest game I’ve ever played”. Australia’s goalkeeper earned plaudits after making three crucial saves in the 20-kick shootout and was still coming to terms with the dramatic events after the match in Brisbane. “I don’t know about fun, but yeah, just a rollercoaster of emotions,” she said. “I haven’t even processed really what’s happened right now.” Arnold also had the chance to seal victory for Australia with a penalty kick of her own, but she smashed her effort into the post when a place in the semi-finals was there for the taking. “I wasn’t thinking much,” she said. “I picked my spot, unfortunately I sliced it a little bit, but the girls kept me in there so I’m glad I could do my job.” Coach Tony Gustavsson praised his team’s “heart and soul and passion” and singled out Arnold for her shootout exploits, and for the keeper’s mental fortitude in the wake of her miss. “It was an emotional roller coaster for all of us. It was almost like it was written in the stars when Macca [Arnold] walks up to take the fifth... and then she hits the post,” he said. “For Macca, missing that penalty and then staying in the game and being that player that wins the game for us, it’s unheard of. I mean, that mental strength of hers.” He said this Matildas team is “on a mission” now. “I know that they’re going to celebrate this one but from tomorrow they’re going to be focused again,” he said. But he also recognised the significance of the evening. Gustavsson was visibly emotional at the final whistle. “I think that’s why I teared up a lot after the game because I know how much this means for so many people,” he said. “When you want to achieve something great and when the why is bigger than 90 minute football and bigger than sport. “We had periods in the game I think we dominated, we had two, three sitters that we definitely could have scored. But I also think France had moments in this game where they completely dominated and we could not get out of our own third.” Gustavsson paid credit to supporters of women’s football in Australia as well as former Matildas. “It’s difficult to put into words now, I’m just happy for so many people other than myself right now and that’s why I tear up because I know how much it means for so many,” he said. Fullback Steph Catley said the team was so happy for Arnold. “She’s worked so hard, she’s come into her own, she’s been brave, she’s backed herself,” Catley said. “She’s done what we’ve been waiting for her to do.” Catley held her nerve from the spot in the Matildas opening-day victory over Ireland, but missed her penalty on Saturday evening, the second in the shootout. “One person falls down and misses a penalty and someone else steps up and that’s what this team is about,” she said. “It sucks that I missed but the ultimate thing in penalties is whether your team comes out on top or not. And that’s what happened.” Substitute Cortnee Vine was selected as the 10th penalty taker and scored the winner, even though she couldn’t remember ever taking a penalty in a shootout before. “I didn’t think it was going to get to the 10th penalty taker,” she said. “I was willing to do whatever the team wanted me to do, and Tony picked me as 10th and I stood up. I just thought in my head, I know which way I’m going, I know which way I’m going, I just need to hit it, and I hit it. And we did it.” France coach Hervé Renard also hailed Arnold’s match-winning saves. “We came up against a goliath of a goalie,” he said. “What a game, in normal time, in extra time and then during the penalty shootout. “I would like to congratulate my players for the performance they pulled off today against the entire nation.”