The breakthrough that showed the Matildas how to shine
In 2007 in China, the Matildas went unnoticed into the World Cup and pulled off a string of surprises. As one player recalls, it was “the start of the rise of women’s football for us”.
In the backblocks of China 16 years ago, the Matildas arrived largely unnoticed for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and quietly set about making their mark at the very top of the sport.
Back then, there were no mass crowds and media coverage to wish them well, unlike the 40,000 supporters who packed Melbourne’s Federation Square this week, as the Matildas prepare to co-host the tournament for the first time.
