Image: PATRICK HAMILTON (APA/AFP/PATRICK HAMILTON)
The jubilation after Australia’s women’s national soccer team reached the World Cup semi-finals swept the whole country: Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hugged the players on the field. “I am so proud and this is all of Australia. Their legacy will live on for years to come,” he said of the co-hosts’ team at Brisbane Stadium.
After a nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out involving a total of 20 players against France (7-6), the “Matildas” now challenge European champions England, who beat Colombia 2-1, in Sydney on Wednesday. Actress Nicole Kidman posted a photo of the cheering team. “Keep going forward and inspiring the nation,” wrote Tim Cahill, men’s all-time leading goalscorer. Albanese wants to ensure that there should be a holiday if the “Matildas” win the world title. However, the prime minister has encountered opposition from industry and former international goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri. “How about you fund our sport properly?” She wrote on the online platform X.
On Tuesday the first finalist will be determined in the game between Spain and Sweden in Auckland. The Swedish defender Nathalie Björn sees the matches already played against the USA and Japan as good preparation. “It feels like Spain is a bit of a mix of them.”
Source: Nachrichten
