Matildas’ penalty shootout thriller smashes Aussie TV ratings records

The Matildas continue to make history, shattering Aussie TV records as millions of fans tuned in to watch their penalty shootout thriller.

The Matildas’ thrilling penalty shootout win over France has smashed Australian TV rating records as the most watched event since Cathy Freeman won gold at the Sydney Olympics.

Channel 7’s coverage of Saturday night’s World Cup quarterfinal had an average audience of 4.17 million, an incredible number given many Australians were out and about watching the games in pubs or public spaces.

According to the OzTAM ratings, the free-to-air viewership was a staggering 3.8 million and another 427,000 watched on 7plus, making the game the most streamed TV program ever in Australia.

The total overall audience peaked at 7.2 million during the penalty shootout.

It was another huge increase on the more than 3.5 million Aussies that tuned into watch the Matildas’ 2-0 win over Denmark in the round of 16.

The bonkers ratings figure of more than 4 million surpassed the 3.6 million that watched Ash Barty’s droughtbreaking Australian Open win last year.

Millions of Aussies tuned in to watch the Matildas. Photo: Adam Head

Even more remarkable, the Matildas’ win over France was the most watched TV event since a staggering 8.8 million watched Freeman win gold in the 400m in Sydney 23 years ago.

The penalty shootout victory attracted more viewers than Lleyton Hewitt’s Australian Open final loss in 2005 and the Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup final defeat to England in 2003.

It’s feasible the Matildas could break their own record in just a few days when they take on England in the semi-finals on Wednesday night.

A weeknight game could mean more people watching from the comfort of their home and a few less out and about at pubs.

The Matildas are making history. (Photo by Elsa - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Nonetheless, the TV ratings are another sign of how much the Australian public is getting behind the Matildas and their fairytale World Cup run.

They are the first Australian football side to reach the semi-finals of a FIFA World Cup, having previously made the quarterfinals on three occasions.

The Matildas will be underdogs against England after the European champions showed their class in a 2-1 comeback win over Colombia.

Sweden will take on Spain in the other semi-final on Tuesday.