Matildas’ incredible act for women’s sport amid global frenzy over World Cup

People were even watching the end of the Matildas game on a flight. Image: Getty/Twitter

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The Matildas delivered a masterclass on Saturday night, their victory fuelled by a tsunami of national and global support. In just under two hours, they propelled the female football agenda forward by unfathomable years. And I can’t see the passion abating any time soon.

One small and perfectly placed kick into the net proved to be an extraordinary leap into the future of women’s sport. The Aussies’ win over France – catapulting them into a semi-final with England – proved beyond doubt that football can draw huge crowds, with women, men, girls, boys, mums, dads, grandmas and grandpas all tuning in.

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The universal appeal of the Women’s World Cup is like nothing I’ve ever witnessed in my Iifetime, and I’ve followed the many tentacles of popular culture. If the Matildas’ historic performance didn’t fill you with excitement, I can’t imagine what possibly could.

In fact, both teams played immaculately, but France just couldn’t outrun our Tillies, and while penalty shootouts aren’t an ideal way to finish a match, this one had the hallmarks of a gladiatorial battle. The death-row decider couldn’t have been more thrilling.

Fans at the Sydney FIFA Fan Festival cheer on the Matildas against France. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

Matildas fans at Melbourne’s Federation Square. (Photo by Diego Fedele/Getty Images)

I don’t know about you, but in my house there was a lot of jumping up and down and major posting across social media in the moment Cortnee Vine secured “our” win. While the Matildas haven’t been crowned World Cup champions yet, Australian female sport has been unveiled as the star it is on a global scale thanks to their red-hot efforts, and from here there is absolutely no taking a back seat.

It must be beyond gratifying for the team’s long-term sponsors who’ve hung in there over the years. Now it’s time to see their commitment to our leading female athletes grow even further.

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