Women’s World Cup 2023: Fans gather in droves for Matildas’ quarter-final against France

Videos shared of fans watching the nail biting game featured Aussies in an anxious silence before Cortnee Vine cinched the Matildas’ win against France.

Australians have gathered in the thousands to see the Matildas take on France, with one Fan Festival site reaching capacity 30 minutes before the game.

Moments after the Matildas’ triumphant win against France’s Les Bleues, social media was flooded with more or less the same video.

Fans gathered at parks, pubs, homes and official fan sites sat in an anxious silence, before erupting into waves of rapturous cheers after Cortnee Vine nailed her penalty shot.

Her well-pointed kick made the Matildas the first Australian team, both male and female, to ascend to the World Cup Semi Finals.

The Matildas will next play either Columbia or England on Wednesday night, and are now just two games away from potentially winning the top prize.

My god that was the closest I’ve ever been to standing up. @TheMatildas UNBELIEVABLE effort 💛💚 MCG going off #matildas#AUSFRApic.twitter.com/BNLU6FAFx8

— Dylan Alcott (@DylanAlcott) August 12, 2023

Live reaction to Vine’s winning penalty for #Matildas from the Kingston Hotel in Canberra #FIFAWWCpic.twitter.com/wCN9bTKxc8

— Cam Reddin (@CamReddin) August 12, 2023

Totally sureal. This is at the MCG while the Carlton vs Melbourne AFL game is on. The moment Matildas won on penalties 🥳🥳🥳 pic.twitter.com/ildabBGDIN

— Prof Mark Stoove (@MStoove) August 12, 2023

Fans flock to support the Tillies

Before and during the game, countless supporters gathered to watch the Matildas take on France’s Les Bleues, with Sydney’s Fan Festival site hitting capacity about half an hour before the match’s start time.

The game began at 5pm at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, with punters gathering at official Fan Festivals in Sydney (Tumbalong Park), Melbourne (Federation Square), Brisbane (Riverside Green), Adelaide (Festival Plaza) and Perth (Forrest Place).

Punters eager to get a spot at Darling Harbour’s Tumbalong Park were turned away from about 4.30pm onwards, after the site reached capacity. Reports on social media said long lines began to gather outside the venue, with one Twitter user warning people to avoid the area.

“Tumbalong Park in #Sydney totally overflowing for the @TheMatildas clash. Do not try and come here!” they wrote.

Fans stormed Tumbalong Park in Sydney’s Darling Harbour. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Monique Harmer

The capacity for the official Fan Festival site exhausted its capacity half an hour before the start of the game. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Monique Harmer

A see of yellow and green gathered to cheer on the Matildas. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Monique Harmer

Les Bleues supporters seen at Tumbalong Park. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Monique Harmer

Tumbalong Park in #Sydney totally overflowing for the @TheMatildas clash. Do not try and come here! pic.twitter.com/kyfe4b8zTl

— Max McKinney (@MaxMckinney) August 12, 2023

By halftime, supporters flooded the Darling Harbour precinct, sitting anywhere they could. Fans were gathered on the balcony of the International Conference Centre, and any and available patches of grass along the promenade.

Absolutely incredible here in Tumbalong Park. Thousands at the live site and overflow anywhere they can see the screens! #Matildaspic.twitter.com/cQgKtdSJMF

— Jase (@Jase_1878) August 12, 2023

In Sydney’s inner-west hoards of people were seen gathered on picnic mats around the Bay Run. Fans also packed out Sydney Olympic Park, where supporters watched the game before England plays its quarter-final against Columbia.

Fans gathered at Sydney's Bay Run to cheer on the Matildas. Picture: Supplied

Wowsers! @sydolympicpark is absolutely PUMPING with excitement watching the #Matildas on the big screens #FIFAWomensWorldCup2023#FIFAWWCpic.twitter.com/rDpoY05wuu

— E (@e13531) August 12, 2023

Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour right now. People are filling up to cheer on the Matildas. #FIFAWomensWorldCup#Matildas#WomensWorldCup2023pic.twitter.com/PEizR6BU7s

— Ammy Kwong (@ammykwong) August 12, 2023

The seats at Rod Laver Arena were also packed with viewers, following Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’ decision to use the stadium to screen the match.

However reports on Twitter, suggested there were still seats for last minute spectators.

Rod Laver Arena building up, let’s do it!!! #Matildaspic.twitter.com/zkm7dmJFGR

— Katie Lambeski (@katielambeski) August 12, 2023

In a shock last minute decision, star forward Sam Kerr was benched at the beginning of the game, however she entered the field at the 55th minute.

Kerr played her first minutes in the Women’s World Cup on Monday night, coming on in the 80th minute during the team’s winning match against Denmark.

Hopes will be high among Australian soccer fans after the Matildas beat France 1-0 during a friendly game before the official start.

The match winner will progress onto the semi-finals on Wednesday night. They will either verse England or Columbia, depending on the results of tonight’s game.