‘I stood up’: Vine’s time arrives as emerging Matildas star proves she belongs

It was the sort of demotion that could dent any player’s confidence, let alone one who has so openly talked about struggling with her own footballing self-esteem. And yet the 25-year-old, Australia’s 10th penalty taker, approached this assignment with such perfect clarity.

When she came on for Hayley Raso in the 104th minute, it seemed like her fresh legs would help the Matildas capitalise on a stretched and tiring French defence. She probably should have scored towards the end of the first half of extra time when she met Foord’s cross to her, but prodded it just wide of the near post.

‘I thought I was in a whirlwind. I didn’t know what was going on. And then I was like, “What just happened?” ’

Cortnee Vine

She knew she’d be the second-last player called upon for a penalty in the shootout. Yet as the momentum swung both ways with all those Mackenzie Arnold saves, the misses from both sides, and even that Kenza Dali retake, Vine kept her cool.

When she walked towards the spot and put the ball down – after Vicki Becho hit the post, which gave her the opportunity to win it for Australia – the crowd was going ballistic, but she heard nothing.

“I just knew where I was gonna put my pen,” she said.

“I feel like in those moments, you just need to be confident in what you’ve practiced. And in that moment, I feel like Macca did the job before I had to – she’s the one that saved it, and I just had to put it away, and I was fortunate enough to be that last penalty kick taker that now has secured us a spot in the semi-final.

Sam Kerr leads the Matildas out to celebrate Cortnee Vine’s winning kick.Credit: Getty

“To be honest, Macca made it better for me by saving that penalty before. It felt like even though there was a lot of pressure, there wasn’t as much because of that save. And in that moment, again, I just thought in my head … let’s just hit it. And we did it.

“I was willing to do whatever the team wanted me to do. Tony picked me as 10th, so I stood up. I have not scored a game-winning penalty kick, and to think it’s my first one, for a semi-final … I don’t know what to say.”

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There’s not much to say. Like everyone else, Vine’s head was spinning out of control as she tried to recount what happened next.

“Everyone jumped on me first,” she said.

“I was shaking my head – I thought I was in a whirlwind. I didn’t know what was going on. And then I was like, ‘What just happened?’

“I had a lot of people come up and say, ‘you did it, we’re so proud of you!’ There were a few swear words in there.”

As for what happens now, as the Matildas look ahead to a semi-final against England at Stadium Australia?

Again – perfect clarity.

“We have to prepare now mentally and physically,” Vine said.

“They’ve done a fantastic job throughout this whole tournament and managing everyone, each individual loads and what that player needs to do to be flying for the next game, and I’m sure that will be the exact same.

“Everyone’s going to be focusing on that from the get-go – doing ice baths and recovery.”

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