FIFA Women’s World Cup: Dream Kerr-tailed but Australia’s love affair has just begun despite 3-1 loss to England

They’ve won hearts and blown minds but the Matildas have fallen short of a maiden World Cup final, defeated 3-1 by England despite a wonder goal from Sam Kerr.

Sam Kerr following the Matildas’ semi-final loss to England. Picture: Reuters

It’s over for the Matildas. It’s over after a 3-1 defeat to ­England at Sydney’s rocking and rolling but ultimately devastated Stadium Australia.

It’s over after they won millions upon millions of fans by playing an attacking, hard-nosed, free­wheeling brand of football, but it wasn’t enough to get past the ­Lionesses.

It’s over after three weeks of making the uninitiated and neutrals think “oh, so this is why it’s called the beautiful game”. They’ve won hearts, blown minds and sparked a national love affair – but the dream is over after The Greatest Showwomen came up short in a sobering World Cup semi-final.

The Greatest Showwomen. Top of the bill is Samantha May Kerr. She was out on her feet with exhaustion. The Matildas trailed 1-0 in the 63rd minute. She found space. She dribbled. She had a ­nation on its feet. She hit the most beautiful strike you would ever wish to see. The ball curled into the top left corner of the net.

Kerr scored a wonder goal from outside the box. Picture: Getty Images

The joint went berserk. Kerr grabbed the crest on her Matildas shirt and shook the life out of it. A moment never to be forgotten. Unfortunately, not the defining one of the night.

It’s over. If Hugh Jackman were a tap-dancing, light-footed, cane-swirling sporting team, he’d be the Matildas. Like Jackman on Broadway, the Matildas have packed the house every night. Wednesday night’s theatre had 75,784 spectators, arriving as if they’d never had so much fun. One old dear saw my accreditation pass and asked if I might talk to Kerr after the game. I said perhaps. She said: “Can you tell her something? Win or lose, tell her we all say … thanks.”

Coach Tony Gustavsson rolled the dice by starting with Kerr for the first time in the tournament. It was a sign the Matildas were all in for a win in regulation time.

It was a thrilling, intoxicating move. Bring out the big gun. Throw all the chips on the table. Strike weapons Kerr and Mary Fowler were together from the opening whistle. Emily van ­Egmond moved back to the bench.

Ella Toone opened the scoring for England. Picture: Getty Images

Kerr’s goal put Australia back in the contest. Picture: Getty Images

In yet another setback for the Matildas, and they’ve had a few, defender Alanna Kennedy was ruled out by illness. She didn’t even make it to the ground. Just another TV viewer to add to the bumper ratings. Veteran Clare Polkinghorne took her place.

Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold spent the pre-match national ­anthem patting Kerr on the shoulder. Your time. Your moment. Your game. It wasn’t to be.

The Matildas skipper was felled twice by brutal tackles in the ­opening phases. She had a one-on-one scoring chance with England goalkeeper Mary Earps but not enough room to deposit the ball in the net. She copped a ball to the face because she was being held back by a defender. It was a rugged, physical battle with constant borderline tackles, stray elbows, arm-grabbing, time-wasting and shirt-pulling. The Matildas were out-muscled as much as outplayed.

England will face Spain in Sunday’s final. Picture: Getty Images

England didn’t exactly roar with attacking intent, faffing around with their Lionesses’ share of possession, getting slow handclaps when they passed backwards, sideways, backwards again. Whatever they were playing, it wasn’t exactly Bazball – but they timed one raid to perfection.

Ella Toone ploughed home a 36th-minute goal that made the stadium groan with disappointment. Not the Toone any Australian wanted to be singing. Kerr made it one-all but England’s Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo landed the killer blows in the 71st and 86th minutes. Kerr put her hands to her knees and bowed her head.

So, that’s it, folks. The Matildas play Sweden in Brisbane on Saturday in a playoff for third. Doesn’t really matter. They wanted first. They’ve brought people together, they’ve given families reason to huddle around TVs at home. They’ve packed live sites to the rafters, they’ve had pubs and clubs jumping like it’s New Year’s Eve.

I’ve heard salt-encrusted surfers, teenage baristas, smelly taxi drivers and sweaty social tennis players say, “How good are the Matildas!”

It’s over for The Greatest Showwomen. Someone tell them we all say thanks.

Matildas players and staff in a huddle following the semi-final loss. Picture: Getty Images