History awaits the Matildas on Wednesday night.
A FIFA World Cup semi-final showdown with England puts the Australian side one step away from what has been a two-year end goal since coach Tony Gustavsson took the reins as coach.
All the training, the planning, the preparation has put captain Sam Kerr and the mighty Tillies on the verge of the final.
There have been challenges and obstacles, some heartache and some magic moments on the way.
The path to glory is never easy in a World Cup, but through five games so far, the Matildas have shown themselves to be made of the sternest stuff, especially in the heart-stopping penalty shootout that brought the nation to a standstill and put them on the precipice of greatness.
THE OPENER
Matildas def Republic of Ireland 1-0, Stadium Australia, Sydney
It was the calf injury that broke the internet and left 75,000 Matildas fans in stunned silence, yet Sam Kerr’s injury setback didn’t break the Aussie spirit as the tournament hosts kicked off their campaign with a scrappy 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland.
Nothing came easy for Australia in front of a record crowd at the Olympic Stadium, yet they found a way to get the job done thanks to a moment that set the tone for the rest of their World Cup.
With the midfield struggling to create chances up front, it felt like a set piece was the only way that they were going to break through for a goal. Then it was a foul in the box that paved the way for Steph Catley to smash home the opener from the penalty spot in a delicious dose of foreshadowing.
There were some nervy moments at the end but the final whistle eventually blew, sparking an avalanche of green and gold hysteria where people started to ask if something special was brewing.
THE DEFEAT
Nigeria def Matildas 3-2, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
After the euphoria of the opening victory, the Matildas‘ World Cup dream threatened to turn into a nightmare in front of almost 50,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium.
The Aussies were expected to seal a berth in the round of 16 with a second successive Group B win, but someone forgot to tell the Super Falcons, who had shown their character and determination in their first-up 0-0 draw with Canada.
Again without injured captain Kerr, the Matildas still weren’t totally on song in attack, with Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso both missing good chances to give Australia the lead.
Emily van Egmond, who had been recalled to the starting side after Mary Fowler was ruled out following a concussion mishap at training, finally hit the target in first-half stoppage time to give the Matildas the lead. But it was a short-lived advantage, with Nigeria equalising before halftime through Uchenna Kanu.
With the game delicately poised, the Nigerians started the better in the second half, with further goals to Osinachi Ohale and Asisat Oshoala, who made the most of a lack of communication between Matildas defender Alanna Kennedy and goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold – leaving the crowd stunned.
Kennedy scored in stoppage-time but it was too little, too late as the Australians condemned themselves to a must-win affair against Canada to reach the knockout stages.
THE RESURRECTION
Matildas def Canada 4-0, AAMI Park, Melbourne
Under extreme pressure as the danger of a humiliating group stage exit loomed, the Matildas lifted to produce their most clinical performance at a World Cup as they thumped Canada 4-0. The reigning Olympic champions had no answers for the energised side, which lined up in a new formation after under-siege coach Tony Gustavsson made amends for the Nigeria loss with a tactical masterclass in Melbourne.
Foord was pushed out to the left to accommodate the returning Fowler, and the star forward combined beautifully with her Arsenal teammate Catley.
Catley skewered Canada’s defence with a brilliant low cross to find Raso on the other side of the box, and she finished calmly for Australia’s first in the ninth minute.
High VAR drama followed as Raso was ruled off-side by the assistant referee only to be ruled back in, while the system overruled a 34th minute goal to Fowler after Ellie Carpenter was caught off-side in a chaotic goal-line scramble.
The constant first half pressure on Canada’s backline wore them down, with Raso capitalising on shoddy defence at a corner to make it 2-0 just before halftime.
Any remaining nerves from the Matildas were swept aside after the break when Foord masterfully set up Fowler for her first World Cup goal, and Catley put an exclamation mark on proceedings when she hammered in an injury time penalty.
Arnold was rarely needed but stood tall when tested with two strong saves, while her booming pass down the field to Foord after she had mopped up a heavy, panicked back pass set up Australia’s opener.
THE ROUND OF 16
Matildas def Denmark 2-0, Stadium Australia, Sydney
The knockout stage arrived and whispers grew louder that Kerr would finally make her return, but the superstar’s late cameo was somehow overshadowed by a Fowler masterclass in the 2-0 win over Denmark.
There were no signs of Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, but a star was born that night as the young gun produced a pass for the ages to set up Foord’s opener after the hosts had survived a number of close calls at the other end.
The 20-year-old played a key role in the sealer when Raso banged home a second, and while those cheers were loud, they were nothing compared to the roar once the crowd realised that Kerr was coming on. The superstar striker didn’t warm up, but she stalked the sidelines for most of the second half wanting to feast on the Danish defence, with Kerr eventually unleashed to get some match fitness under her belt. It was the shot in the arm the team needed, with one of the most talked about legs back on deck to strike fear into the rest of the competition.
THE HISTORY-MAKER
Matildas def France 1-0 (7-6 on penalties), Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
It took two hours of football and 20 subsequent penalties, but the Matildas finally sealed a FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-final berth for the first time with a dramatic 7-6 shootout win over France at Suncorp Stadium.
In one of Australian football’s most memorable nights, Arnold was the hero for the Matildas, saving three spot kicks in a penalty shootout that was needed after neither side was able to find the back of the net in normal time and then extra time. Despite her heroics, Arnold had a rollercoaster of a shootout. She also missed a spot kick, hitting the post with a powerful strike that would have sealed Australia victory after 10 penalties had it gone in.
Arnold also had a penalty save denied for moving too early off her line, but she didn’t drop her head in a performance that was truly deserving of player-of-the match honours.
Substitute Cortnee Vine finally sent the Brisbane crowd of almost 50,000 into ecstasy when she calmly slotted home the 20th penalty of the shootout to seal the Matildas a spot in the final four.
Kerr, who made just her second appearance of the tournament after coming on as a second-half substitute, also scored in the shootout, as did Vine, Foord, Fowler, Carpenter, Tameka Yallop and Katrina Gorry on an unforgettable night in Australian sporting history.
