Australia’s Matildas Waltz Into the Women’s World Cup Knockout Round · Global Voices
Kevin Rennie

Lisa De Vanna's goal
TV Screenshot – SBS televison
#GoMatildas topped Twitter trends in Australia as a 1-1 draw with Sweden propelled the national women’s football team into the round of 16 in the World Cup in Canada. This followed a strong 2-0 victory over Nigeria and an encouraging 1-3 loss to the USA, who are the tournament favorites.
STANDINGS: Confirmation #USA & #AUS go through to Round of 16 from ‘Group of Death.’ #SWE must wait. #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/aU4ZX5V1wL
— FIFA Women'sWorldCup (@FIFAWWC) June 17, 2015
There was plenty of praise and high hopes online:
Stoked with the Matilda's result!! Bring on Brazil 👍⚽️ #AUSSWE #WomensWorldCup
— Zoe Hara (@zoehara5) June 17, 2015
I can see #AUS going far in this World Cup. They're playing some of their best ball and I love it. @TheMatildas #WWC2015 #GoMatildas
— Neveen Esho (@NeveenEsho) June 17, 2015
Not all Matildas supporters were completely happy with the result:
I mean, it was a satisfactory game. But somehow it wasn't satisfying. Have higher hopes for #AUS. #AUSSWE #GoMatildas
— Elena Wewer (@ElenaWewer) June 17, 2015
It was a very satisfying day for Aussie soccer. The men’s side @Socceroos defeated Kyrgyzstan 2-1 in a World Cup qualifying match:
VIDEO: See how the @Socceroos got the job done against a spirited Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek – http://t.co/EotpSsijFd pic.twitter.com/rRtRK0ZmqP
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 16, 2015
Great few hours for #Aus (@FFA) football. @Pararoos, @TheMatildas and @Socceroos all getting a result. #GoPararoos #GoMatildas #GoSocceroos
— David (@gotosleepathome) June 17, 2015
The Paralympic Team @Pararoos also won 2-0 against Portugal in their quest to reach the Rio Paralympics.
The @Pararoos started their #CPFWC in emphatic style, defeating #Portugal 2-0! @CPEngland2015 @AUSParalympics
— Para Sports News AUS (@AUS_ParaSports) June 16, 2015
Sarah K Wright managed a handful of emojis in her victory tweet for the Matildas:
@TheMatildas De Vanna's awesome goal! So much skill and domination! 👍🏼💚⚽️💛 #GoMatildas #ThisIsIt
— Sarah K Wright (@sarahkatewright) June 17, 2015
Given that Lisa De Vanna’s goal came in the first five minutes and Sofia Jakobsson provided the equaliser for Sweden in the 15th minute, Justin Civitillo’s had a long wait:
Here we go, another 45 mins of unimaginable stress. Let's do this. #GoMatildas #FIFAWWC
— Justin Civitillo (@JC_Kazama) June 17, 2015
Matilda’s coach Alen Stajcic let the players take the limelight:
“We're battle-hardened now. There's belief. Bring on Brazil.” -Alen Stajcic after #AUS finish 2nd in Group D. Carry no yellow cards too.
— Anthony DiCicco (@DiCiccoMethod) June 17, 2015
Australia’s next challenge is a big one – Brazil. Football website Outside90 offered some reassurance:
The Matildas have grown in confidence with every passing game and their maturity and patience in defence, their doggedness in midfield and the clinical and ferocious nature of their attack makes them a real contender to progress through the knockout stages of this tournament.