Story highlights Norway beats Australia on penalties

Sam Kerr misses for Matildas

(CNN) Australian star Sam Kerr missed her spot kick as the Matildas lost a penalty shoot-out to Norway after a breathtaking last 16 Women's World Cup clash in Nice Saturday.

Kerr blazed Australia's first effort over the bar and with Ingrid Hjelmseth then saving from Emily Gielnik it was left to Ingrid Engen to give the Norwegians an unassailable 4-1 advantage in the shoot-out.

An abject Sam Kerr after sending her penalty effort high and wide in the shoot-out against Norway.

It was a dramatic finale to a match that has lit up the tournament, with Norway deserved winners and reaching the last eight for the first time since 2007 although tough on Kerr, who had showed her quality throughout normal and extra time.

England or Cameroon, who play Sunday, await in the quarterfinals, but on the evidence of this match the Norwegians will represent a tough test for future opponents, even without Ballon d'Or winner Ada Hegerberg.

Norway have qualified for the #FIFAWWC quarter-finals for the first time since 2007.



A perfect penalty shootout. #NORAUS pic.twitter.com/SOHlggepZq — Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 22, 2019

Kerr went close in the opening minute of the match, her shot going narrowly wide, but it was the Norwegians who looked the more dangerous side in the early exchanges.

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