Matildas star Gorry set for 31st birthday to remember

Katrina Gorry will turn 31 the day after leading Australia to an extraordinary win against France in the Women's World Cup quarter final.

What a celebration that will be for the Matildas midfielder.

Gorry stepped up to land the first sudden death penalty in the nerve-jangling 7-6 win over France in front of her home fans at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

On Sunday, she will turn 31.

The fighting spirit of Gorry was crucial to the Matildas' win.

She was a major reason why France were not able to score in the first half after they had nine shots on goal.

Gorry was enormous in that period. Two through-balls for Hayley Raso and another to Mary Fowler gave the Matildas their best-attacking chances in the first half.

It was however Gorry's never-say-die mentality in winning possession at crucial moments that made the most difference.

She intercepted French passes with her head and her feet and had one classic confrontation with Les Bleus skipper Wendie Renard. It was the smallest player on the field, Gorry, up against the tallest.

Gorry was handed a yellow card for a fierce challenge on Sakina Karchaoui early in the first period of extra time. Les Bleus certainly knew she was out there.

She didn't win the game on her own but Gorry made sure the Matildas stayed in it when it could have got away from them.

One classic slide tackle on France midfielder Grace Geyoro showed she would not be intimidated.

Gorry's penalty, so calmly taken with immense pressure on her shoulders, iced her classy all-round display.