‘Nothing changes’ for Matildas fans still standing after devastating exit

Dejected fans began filtering out of Melbourne’s Federation Square the moment England’s third goal touched the net, some acknowledging it was all over for the Matildas before the final whistle blew.

Stella Snowden, 19, was one of the devastated Matildas supporters still watching the big screen when Australia’s World Cup hopes were officially declared over, beaten 3-1 in the semi-final by the Lionesses of England.

Matildas fans Stella Snowden, Ines de-bleye, and Ella van der Lans after their semi-final loss.Credit: Alex Crowe

“My tummy dropped to the ground,” Stella said.

Ella van der Lans, 17, said even though crowds were headed home and the game was over, she hoped the result was “some kind of mistake”.

“Heartbroken, pretty much,” she said.

Stella said the pair had been going to Matildas games since there were only 2000 people in the stands and the Australian team couldn’t fill out AAMI Park.

“We feel very connected to them and very personally proud of them,” she said, wiping away tears.

“It would have been amazing to win, and I reckon we could have. Nothing changes.”

Charlee Brown, 18, said now that the World Cup had ended for the Matildas, she would need something else to focus her energy on.

“Football has taken over my mind for the past month. It is all I have thought about. So I need to find a new hobby,” she said.

The Matildas squad huddle after the team’s defeat and elimination from the tournament.Credit: Getty

Charlee had travelled to Fed Square several times during the tournament with another recent Matildas convert, Lily Cormie, recruiting more and more friends each week.

Lily said she was confident the momentum for football fandom would continue, as the whole of Australia had rallied behind the Matildas during their historic World Cup run.

“I don’t think it’s going to die down any time soon,” she said.

“Everyone’s so proud of them,” Charlee added.

Earlier, fans blocked from entering an at-capacity Federation Square broke down barriers to push past security and into the crowd several times before the match kicked off.

Police rushed to support security guards as others made their frustration at being locked out heard.

Thousands had queued and reserved their spots at Melbourne’s public viewing sites hours in advance of the semi-final, hoping to witness the Matildas write a new chapter in Australian soccer history.

Crowds chanted “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie” as they streamed into Melbourne’s main public viewing site.

Authorities began announcing by megaphone that Federation Square had already reached capacity at 7pm. Half an hour later, crowds began storming the barrier past security to get inside the square.

Crowds were advised it was a family-friendly event and that there was time to make it to AAMI Park to watch the game there.

Stefan Sergati, 10, was staying up late to cheer on the Matildas with his family.

Making their way into the city from Sydenham to watch the Matildas for the second time in several days, Stefan said Federation Square was the best place to hear the roar of Matildas fans.

The best part of watching it with thousands of others? “The goals!” Stefan said.

Punters at Federation Square were warned on big screens that flares are prohibited, with those setting them off facing a maximum penalty of $7400.

Still, red flares were regularly being lit up at the fan festival in Fed Square, as they were during previous Matildas matches.

Victoria Police said it was “well prepared to support the community in safely celebrating” the Matildas.

Stefan Sergati (centre) soaking up the Matildas excitement with his family.Credit: Alex Crowe

Ivy Gleeson, 15, was at the front of the thousands-strong crowd with her soccer teammates. “The environment here is amazing,” she said.

Almost the entire Williams Landing Football Club side made it to Federation Square, accompanied by their coach.

Teammate Evelyn Orme, 14, said there was something special about the Matildas’ World Cup team.

“They’re so inspirational, they’re all really talented ... Being able to see where you could go, for girls, for women – it’s really good,” she said.

Ingrid Meyer, 15, said the way the Matildas worked together reminded her of how she and her teammates were on the field.

She said watching the semi-final among thousands of fans in the heart of Melbourne was something special.

“They’re just really determined,” she said. “It’s incredible. The atmosphere is kinda scary but I love it.”

AAMI Park (or Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, as FIFA calls it) joined Federation Square as the second major live site in Melbourne for this semi-final.

The family of Matilda Smith (centre) at AAMI Park.Credit: Alex Crowe

At least 23,838 Melburnians turned out to the stadium to watch the match. AAMI Park has a total capacity of 29,600 and its video screens were updated as part of refurbishments for the World Cup.

Matilda Smith, 12, was among those counting down the minutes until the big game with her English-born mum Tara.

“It’s a bit of a dilemma to figure out who it is I should go for, but as you can tell, I’ve chosen my team,” Tara said.

Frankie Gianelli wasn’t the least bit conflicted over which country she was going to barrack for.

Members of the Williams Landing Football Club watch the Matildas.Credit: Alex Crowe

She said Ellie Carpenter was going to make sure the Matildas came out on top.“She’s really good at defence,” she said.

“We’re gonna be real good.”

Crowds watch the Matildas at Queen Victoria Market.

Countless more Victorians were watching at homes or at pubs and other public viewing sites across the state, from star defender Steph Catley’s home in East Bentleigh to France quarter-final hero Cortnee Vine’s hometown of Shepparton.

Melburnians represented the largest chunk of Seven’s mammoth TV audience for the France penalty shootout on Saturday, accounting for 984,000 viewers.

That was compared with 931,000 in Sydney and 513,000 in Brisbane.

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