Australia’s former deputy prime minister has revealed that he missed his country’s dramatic penalty shootout win over France because he was watching the wrong match.
Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce took a trip down to a local pub to watch the Matildas in their World Cup quarter-final clash on Saturday.
But he was left red-faced after later coming to the realisation that he’d been viewing a past friendly between France and Australia that took place on July 14.
Speaking to Sunrise host Natalie Barr, the MP said: “I know it was an incredible penalty shootout which we never [saw] – we went and had dinner because we thought they’d won 1-0.
“I think we were watching the wrong game, I think they put on a repeat.
“When we had finished the game, Australia had won 1-0 on full-time.”
“Such is life,” he added.
Staff at the pub confirmed to Guardian Australia that Mr Joyce did watch the wrong match.
“We hadn’t even realised until today that it was the wrong match. The crowd didn’t notice either, it’s been news to us,” they said.
Australia had a dramatic 7-6 penalty shootout win over France to seal a semi-final place against England on Wednesday.
The winner of the tie will face either Sweden or Spain, who play on Tuesday.
