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The Matildas have made Australian sporting history and sent the country into ecstasy in the process.
Key points:
- The Matildas defeated France on penalties
- Sam Kerr made an impact when she came on in the second half
- Coach Tony Gustavsson said he had faith that his side could get this far in the tournament
But they are not done yet after reaching the Women's World Cup semifinals for the first time via a penalty shootout win over France in Brisbane/Meaanjin.
Matildas captain Sam Kerr said her side was firmly focused on advancing to the final, with England the next hurdle in a blockbuster semifinal clash at Stadium Australia on Wednesday night.
"That's what we're here for," Kerr said after defeating France.
"But one game at a time. We're not going to get this far and then get too far ahead of ourselves."
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson said he always had faith his squad could go deep at the tournament.
"My belief that this team can do anything had been there before tonight," he said.
"I genuinely believe this team can create history in so many ways, not just winning football games but in the way they can inspire the next generation and unite the nation.
"That is why I believe in them so much."
Gustavsson added: "The number one thing is to embrace this historic night and feel that we are united.
"I said, 'Let's bring the families in the circle tonight and bring the nation in', so we can actually embrace and enjoy this moment because that is part of the mental recovery."
Kerr's role against England
Gustavsson will need to answer the question about whether Kerr will start against England.
Kerr played 65 minutes as a substitute and converted her spot-kick in the penalty shootout against France.
She said she was satisfied with the decision to use her off the bench on Saturday night as she continued her recovery from a calf injury.
"With everything that's been going on, the best thing for today was the plan we did and the plan we followed and when I hurt my calf, the plan was to always like, be ready for semifinal time," she said.
"So I could have started but who knows what could have happened?
"The girls have been smashing it and absolutely dominating, so I think the plan went pretty well."
Gustavsson said he had considered starting Kerr against France, despite her limited match fitness.
"It was a massive decision before the game to leave her on the bench," he said.
"Then it was about the timing. You want the timing right.
"I was informed that she had limited minutes today. Then we needed to put extra time into consideration.
"What is the risk that she pulls the calf and how many minutes does she actually have?
"That was a massive decision to get that right. I think that we got it right and we should have scored.
"We had them but then when Sam came on we really had them on the hook."
Kerr changed the match when she came on in the 55th minute, then stood tall in the penalty shootout.
She wiped away memories of blasting a spot-kick into the stands against Norway in a round-of-16 loss at the Women's World Cup in France four years ago.
With Australia trailing 2-3 in the shootout in Brisbane, Kerr stepped up and converted.
"At the last World Cup, I just went away from my routine and what I did and I missed," she said.
"So this time, it was all about just self-belief and putting it where I normally do."
Days out from the final-four encounter with England, Gustavsson stressed his charges had embraced a bigger picture.
"The players represent so much more than 90 minutes of football," he said.
"All the little kids that this team will inspire, the next generation. And seeing the nation unite.
"The way we were sent off at the hotel today going to the stadium, the support we got when we arrived to the stadium, the support we got during the game.
"Everyone united around these players. I am probably one of the proudest and happiest coaches right now because I am so happy for other people."
AAP
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