‘Unbelievable scenes’: Australia reacts as Matildas beat France

Football fans went berserk as the Matildas made it through to the semis, finally putting France to the sword in an epic penalty shootout.

Australians have reacted with unrestrained joy after the Matildas beat the odds to gain a berth in the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup.

It took an epic 20 penalty shots for the Matildas to defeat Les Bleues 7-5 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

Aussie fans, who were packed into venues from Rod Laver Arena to Sydney Olympic Park, were kept on the edge of their seats until Cortnee Vine finally buried the winning penalty in the back of the net.

Their reaction to the win was explosive — literally.

Aussie supporters in Melbourne’s Federation Square were jumping for joy and unleashed flares, which aren’t technically legal but the pyro display always seems to be in the mix.

Fans at Federation Square reacted like they always do. Picture: Twitter

Flares were unleashed. Picture: Twitter

UNBELIEVABLE SCENES!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥

Matildas win the penalty shootout. Federation Square erupts. Wow! #FIFAWWCpic.twitter.com/CBuzsD31vc

— Adriano Del Monte (@adriandelmonte) August 12, 2023

Almost 9 thousand people packed into Federation Square to watch the game today. And oh MY GOD IT WAS WORTH IT pic.twitter.com/Yl2f5uaxW1

— Nuttery (@NutteryANZ) August 12, 2023

AFL fans went nuts when the Matildas won. Picture: Twitter

TV presenter Adriano Del Monte was at the venue and posted a clip of fans losing it.

“UNBELIEVABLE SCENES! Matildas win the penalty shootout. Federation Square erupts. Wow!” he wrote.

Meanwhile at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, punters gathered around a screen to watch the stressful penalty shootout, which seemed to take about a billion years.

That was despite earlier drama when the MCG switched the Matildas game off on the big screens.

ABC broadcaster Tyson Whelan put together a great thread on social media showing fans celebrating across the nation.

From Adelaide to Sydney fans went absolutely mental as the Matildas made it through to semis for the first time.

Here’s hoping Australia has enough emotional energy in the tank to make it through the next nailbiter.