FIFA Women’s World Cup: Fans go wild as Matildas look to Wednesdays semi-final clash against England

Fresh from conquering the French on Saturday night, the Matildas emerged from their Brisbane hotel in a celebratory mood on Sunday morning.

Throngs of fans were waiting for the victorious quarter-finalists as they left the Queensland capital for last time in the Women’s World Cup.

For midfielder Katrina Gorry, Saturday’s win was a high point, after the death of her fiancee’s father on Thursday.

“Football is my happy place, everybody, everything just leaves when you get on the field,” she said after the game.

On Sunday morning, Gorry carried out a Happy Birthday balloon, and the waiting fans sang to her as she boarded the bus to mark her 31st birthday.

She waved, boarded the bus with her teammates, and headed to the airport.

But the crowds still grew. At Sydney Airport where the team landed ahead of Wednesday’s match there were hectic scenes, as the players high-fived fans on either side of them.

Players signed shirts as young fans — girls and boys — waited for a split second moment with Australia’s newest heroes.

Amid the names of Kerr, Fowler, and Raso, a new name for posters and bedroom walls — Courtnee Vine, who kicked the winning goal to end the penalty stalemate.

“This is something I just never dreamt of happening; it’s crazy,” Vine said post-match.

“I said I was willing to do whatever the team wanted me to do, and Tony (Gustavsson) picked me as tenth, so I stood up.

“I feel like in those moments, you just need to be confident in what you’ve practise.”

But while the excited crowds dwell on Saturday night’s victory, the team’s focus has shifted to the next game.

Wednesday’s semi-final against Australia’s great sporting rival, England, looms as the ultimate test — the first time an Australian side, women’s or men’s, has reached the penultimate match in a tournament.

Caitlin Foord said the Matildas’ confidence was sky high after the win.

“I’m just so proud, it was an incredible performance,” Foord told reporters post-match.

“We were unlucky not to put one away during the game and then to go to pens and get it done there, it’s huge for this team.

“It’s something to boost our confidence even more and to get through a hurdle like that, it shows what our team is about and the belief that we have.

“Our never-say-die attitude came out tonight.”

The confidence is building across the nation, with Socceroos legend Tim Cahill saying he believed Australia were poised to lift the Women’s World Cup.

“By beating France, who are probably the strongest opposition, there’s no reason why they can’t go on to win it,” Cahill said in Sydney on Sunday.

“France is the most complete team, tactically and their manager (Herve Renard), I know a lot about him from his time with the Saudi Arabian men’s team.

“Now it’ll come down to fatigue for those who have played every game for the Matildas.

“Hopefully they can back it up physically and mentally because they’re riding the wave. I’m quietly confident but we have to be fearless and on the front foot.”

Both the NSW and Victorian Governments announced on Sunday more venues would open to show Wednesday’s game on the big screen