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After finishing fourth at the World Cup and the last Olympic Games, the Matildas book their ticket to Paris with redemption on their minds and maybe a new/old face in the mix.
Here are five quick hits from their 10-0 thrashing of Uzbekistan.
1. Fairytale rolls on for four-goal hero Michelle Heyman
With four goals against Uzbekistan in Melbourne to go with one in Tashkent on the weekend, the question will be asked: why was the A-League Women's all-time leading goal-scorer out of the Matildas' squad for so long?
At 35 years of age, many assumed Heyman's international career was over, having announced her international retirement in 2019. But after Sam Kerr's untimely ACL injury, the Canberra United striker's form and experience earned her a call from Tony Gustavsson.
Six years on from her last appearance for the Matildas, player of the match Heyman looms not just as an Olympic starter, but critical to Australia's medal chances.
"The energy she brings on and off the field is pretty special," Katrina Gorry told media post-match.
"It feels like home having her back."
Heyman was rested in the second half of Wednesday night's game, after taking just 15 minutes to score a hat-trick, and heading home a fourth goal in stoppage time in the first half. For what it's worth, Heyman said she told Gustavsson "I've got five in me" before she was taken off.
2. A chance for Olympic redemption
With a place booked at the Paris Olympics, to be held in July and August this year, the Matildas have the opportunity to go one better than they did at the record-breaking World Cup in 2023.
At their home tournament, Australia fell agonisingly short of a third-place finish, losing to Sweden. It mirrored their performance at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021, where the Matildas lost a bronze medal play-off to the USA after the Swedes pipped them 1-0 in the semis.
Speaking at the pre-game press conference, captain Steph Catley said the team is tired of finishing fourth.
"It is something that sits pretty heavy within this group," she said.
"We're all getting a bit older now and the opportunities for major tournaments are getting thinner. The core group is running out of opportunities … [so] the passion and desire is really there."
There is a reality to Catley's fears. Of Wednesday's line-up, Catley and Gorry are 31, while Heyman is 35 and Emily Van Egmond is 30 (as is the absent Sam Kerr).
3. A dozen sell-outs in a row
Melbourne is officially a happy hunting ground for the Matildas.
Few could forget their 4-0 backs-to-the-wall win against Canada during the World Cup, but they had doubled that scoreline by half-time against Uzbekistan at Docklands on Wednesday.
After a hard-fought 3-0 victory in the first leg of qualification in Tashkent, Wednesday's 10-0 result was a scoreline few saw coming.
But it was warmly welcomed by the 54,120-strong local crowd, who saw their beloved national team just once during the World Cup.
Fans could be seen brushing up on the off-side rule on trains to Southern Cross as an oppressive, 39-degree summer day failed to keep fans away.
4. New face far from out of place
Australia named several uncapped players for the two Olympic qualifying matches against Uzbekistan, with one of those 23-year-old Kaitlyn Torpey.
Relatively unknown to the packed crowd, Torpey nonetheless slotted in seamlessly for her second international appearance, scoring Australia's fifth goal in the 22nd minute of the one-sided contest.
Torpey is no stranger to Melbourne, with the full-back having made 48 appearances for City in the A-League Women's competition, before this year signing a lucrative deal to join San Diego Wave in the US' NWSL (reportedly for a record fee).
Torpey was involved in several Matildas' goals across the night, including the first own goal, before moving into her customary defensive role in the second half.
5. Success about legacy as much as medals
"Don't misinterpret me," Gustavsson said to media on Tuesday.
"I really want a medal for these players, but inspiring a new generation of players and bringing women's football on the map … that's success in itself."
It's a line very similar to the one he repeated during the 2023 World Cup, when the Australian coach continually referred to the 'legacy' of the record-breaking tournament being bigger than the game itself.
On Wednesday night, that legacy was there for all to see, with another full house marking the 12th consecutive sold-out home international for the Matildas.
Heyman, who debuted for the Matildas in 2010, said she couldn't help but notice the difference in support, 14 years on.
"To hear how loud it was out there, it gave me goosebumps," she said.
"This is something I really wanted to be a part of, especially being in the crowd at the World Cup.
"A lot of people told me I was too old, but [getting back into the team] now, it just means so much more to me."
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