The Matildas have reached the quarter-finals of the Womens World Cup for the fourth time in their history, and on Saturday night will chase a spot in the final four for the first time ever.
Australia will play world number five France on Saturday afternoon at 5pm AEST at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
Captain Sam Kerr will play, after making her return from injury in the 2-0 Round of 16 victory over Denmark. But it is unclear whether she will start or come off the bench again.
And forward Kyah Simon could be in line for her first minutes of the tournament, having not played for club and country since tearing her ACL late last year.
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After record-breaking interest in this World Cup in Australia, the MCG, SCG and Optus Stadium in Perth will all turn into World Cup live sites before or after they host AFL games on Saturday.
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Should Australia overcome France and reach a maiden semi-final, they will face the winner of England and Colombia, who also play on Saturday night (8.30pm AEST, Sydney).
Big screens will also be set up outside Stadium Australia so fans can watch the Matildas before attending that England-Colombia match.
England are the reigning European Champions and ranked fourth in the world as well as the current betting favourites to win the World Cup – though Australia did beat the Lionesses earlier this year in a friendly.
Colombia, meanwhile, are ranked 25th and feature one of the most exciting teenagers in world football in Real Madrid’s Linda Caicedo, who has scored two brilliant goals already this tournament.
FIXTURES
Matildas’ Quarter-Final
Saturday 12 August, 5pm: Australia v France, Brisbane Stadium (Brisbane/Meeanjin)
Matildas’ Potential Semi-Final
Wednesday 16 August, 8pm: (Australia or France) v Winner of Game D (England v Colombia), Stadium Australia (Sydney/Gadigal)
World Cup Final
Sunday 20 August, 8pm: (Potentially Australia) v (Spain, Netherlands, Japan or Sweden), Stadium Australia (Sydney/Gadigal)
WHO IS IN THE MATILDAS SQUAD?
Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold (West Ham), Teagan Micah (FC Rosengard), Lydia Williams (Brighton)
Defenders: Ellie Carpenter (Lyon), Steph Catley (Arsenal), Charlotte Grant (Vittsjo GIK), Clare Hunt (Western Sydney Wanderers), Alanna Kennedy (Manchester City), Aivi Luik (BK Hacken), Courtney Nevin (Leicester City), Clare Polkinghorne (Vittsjo GIK)
Midfielders: Alex Chidiac (Racing Louisville), Kyra Cooney-Cross (Hammarby IF), Katrina Gorry (Vittsjo GIK), Emily van Egmond (San Diego Wave), Clare Wheeler (Everton), Tameka Yallop (SK Brann)
Forwards: Caitlin Foord (Arsenal), Mary Fowler (Manchester City), Sam Kerr (Chelsea), Hayley Raso (Real Madrid), Kyah Simon (unattached), Cortnee Vine (Sydney FC)
MATILDAS SQUAD: What you need to know about every Aussie
