Lydia Williams had a blinder in goal with possibly the save of the World Cup straining every sinew deflecting Formiga’s swerving bullet off her fingertips. In the second half with both sides battling, Coach Alan Stajcic sent in Kyah Simon and a little later Katrina Gorry, both subs proving to be the difference. The turning point came in the 80th minute, Gorry won the ball in midfield, seeking out Lisa De Vanna on a long diagonal. The captain of the Matildas turned and shot from inside the penalty box with her effort saved by Luciana but Simon was at hand to pounce on the rebound and side footed it to the far post. Luciana should have done better but it was the first goal conceded by Brazil in 350 minutes.

The Australians then held on for more than 10 minutes to frustrate the Brazilians as Marta, Christiane, Formiga, and Fabiana, the heavy hitters, made very little impact. It was their first knockout win at the World Cup. A shout out to De Vanna, who went toe to toe with all her defenders, harrying them, a pugnacious presence on attack, never giving up.

Next up, either defending champs Japan or the Netherlands, led by the sensational Vivianne Meidema. Whoever it maybe, the Matildas have captured the hearts and imagination of those following the World Cup.