But if the Matildas, Australia’s national women’s soccer team, didn’t win the tournament overall, they have nonetheless walked away with the nation’s hearts clasped firmly in their hands.

Australia’s Seven Network, the tournament’s official broadcaster here, reported a peak audience of 7.2 million people Saturday as Australia defeated France in a nail-biting 7-6 penalty shootout.

It landed about three hours after that stadium staged a 49,000-person stress test of a World Cup quarterfinal that Australia’s adored Matildas won by a hairbreadth.

Sports Australia has 'Matilda Mania' as the team goes on to Women's World Cup quarter-finals August 11, 20235:24 PM ET Heard on All Things Considered Diaa Hadid ...

For many, it was a fitting end to a draining night that saw Australia’s newest sporting superstars, the Matildas, fall frustratingly short of their first ever World Cup final.

"Matilda" was picked as Australia's word of the year on Wednesday after the national football team's historic run to the semi-finals of their home Women's World Cup.

Australia fervently backed the Matildas on their historic run: A blueprint for World Cup hosts By Steph Yang Aug. 19, 2023Updated Aug. 20, 2023 7 ...