‘Bigger than a medal’: Matildas’ images show how Australia’s changed

The Matildas’ final act of the 2023 Women’s World Cup has shown both what they mean to Australia and what Australia means to them.

And just like that, it’s over.

After a month of captivating the nation, the Matildas’ World Cup campaign has ended in a 2-0 loss to Sweden in the third-place playoff.

But despite the loss, Australia has continued to show the love with fans sticking around to celebrate the Matildas as they did a lap of honour around Suncorp Stadium.

While Sweden celebrated with their bronze medals, the Matildas paid respect to the supporters left in the stadium.

“The Matildas are getting one hell of an ovation as they go on a little bit of a lap of honour around Brisbane Stadium,” Adam Peacock said on Channel 7.

“Many of the players in tears, the fans in raptures.”

We love you Tillies! Photo by Alex Pantling – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Although the Matildas owe the fans nothing more than they have given throughout their historic World Cup campaign, several of the Matildas took off their boots and gave them to fans, with defender Aivi Luik also giving up the socks off her feet.

“Aivi Luik is just one of the most beautiful human beings, so that does not surprise me,” Emily Gielnik said.

Peacock added the post game scenes “don’t feel like someone’s lost a game of football”.

“Katrina Gorry’s walking around without boots, I think Hayley Raso’s lost her boots to the crowd as well,” he commented.

The Optus Sport cameras caught the moment Gorry handed her boots to a youngster in the crowd.

The look on the kid’s face says it all.

Katrina Gorry is all class at full-time 🤗🇦🇺

The Matildas midfield general gives her boots to a very lucky fan in Brisbane.

Simply awesome.#FIFAWWC#OptusSportpic.twitter.com/EFv3or7KGS

— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) August 19, 2023

Lovely scenes in Brisbane. Photo: Optus Sport

This is what it means. Photo: Supplied

Gielnik, who was part of the Matildas’ provisional squad but was left out of the final squad, was emotional about the scenes as it showed just how much the Matildas’ World Cup run meant to the nation.

“You can clearly see, (even) after a loss tonight, the Matildas have won the hearts of Australia, well and truly,” Gielnik said on Seven.

“The Matildas, it runs deep – the never-say-die attitude. It kills me to see how devastated they are. They wanted this win, they deserved this win. They threw every inch of their being at this game.

“This is showstopping, this is electric. Australia has fallen in love with this team and rightfully so.”

Australian captain Sam Kerr also said while it was hard to comprehend in the throes of the heartbreaking defeat, upon reflection the Matildas would realise what they had achieved.

“It’s been a dream come true,” the skipper said.

“The way the fans have got behind us, the way the girls have carried themselves – we’ve proven to the world but also within Australia that we are a footballing nation.

“That’s all down to the fans. We couldn’t get it done, but hopefully we’ve inspired people for many years to come.”

Brilliant scenes. Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

They were comments echoed by coach Tony Gustavsson.

Earlier in the tournament, there were calls for his head after the group stage loss to Nigeria.

But Gustavsson said it was “maybe we won something bigger than a medal this tournament”.

“I said I know we’re hurt. We wanted to bring home a medal for this team, for these fans, for family and friends, for the country,” Gustavsson said.

“It’s the second big tournament now that we’ve played for a medal and we’re missing out.

“But I also said maybe we won something bigger than a medal this tournament. It’s a difficult moment now to talk about that but when we distance ourselves from this game and look at the whole tournament, I think maybe we won something bigger than a medal.”