French President Emmanuel Macron has stayed true to his word and joined millions of Australians in cheering on the Matildas after Australia’s penalty shootout victory over France.
The leader of France accepted a bet from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ahead of last night’s match, in which the two leaders agreed to both support the winner of the Australia v France quarter-final moving forward.
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“Nothing personal against our English friends, but a bet is a bet,” Macron wrote on X, following the Matildas win in Brisbane.
“Good luck Australia for the semi-finals!”
Hours before the declaration of support, Albanese hit up Macron on social media.
“How about a bet @EmmanuelMacron?” Albanese asked.
“If @TheMatildas win tonight, you’ll support Australia in the semi-finals. If the @equipedefranceF win, I’ll support France. Deal?”
Macron soon replied: “The World Cup is brilliantly co-organised by you, Australia. It’s an honour to face the Matildas in the quarter-finals today, but no worries: Les Bleues will take the lead! Deal.”
Macron could not be blamed for picking the French, with bookies installing the Europeans as heavy favourites.
The Matildas will play England next Wednesday for a spot in the final after the European champions beat Colombia 2-1.
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Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold kept the Matildas in the game in extra time and made three clutch saves in the shootout — before and after missing with her own attempt that could have sealed the win.
“I will remember this night for the rest of my life,” she said. “That is the craziest game I’ve ever played, considering what was on the line.
“It’s going to take a long time to really realize what has happened and what I’ve done and what the team has done. I’m just super proud to be Australian right now.”
