The Matildas have continued to shatter Australian viewing records, with Wednesday night’s World Cup semi-final loss to England pulling in the biggest audience since audience measurement company OzTAM’s records began in 2001.
A staggering 11.15 million Australians tuned into the 3-1 defeat, with an average audience nationwide of 7.13 million, according to figures released on Thursday morning.
With nearly a million of those watching the match via streaming service 7plus, it also broke Australian streaming records.
That doesn’t even take into account the hundreds of thousands of Australians watching the match at public venues such as Federation Square in Melbourne, which saw an audience large enough to prompt fears of a crowd crush on Wednesday night; or figures from streaming service Optus Sport, which is yet to reveal its data.
“Australia was captivated last night as the Matildas played their hearts out and did us all proud,” Seven’s head of sport Lewis Martin said in a statement.
“Although their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 journey ended last night, the Matildas have re-written the history books and captured the hearts and minds of the nation with a performance that is sure to inspire generations of Australians for many years to come.
“Seven is beyond proud to have played a part in bringing Australia together around our screens, as the Matildas’ performance captured the Australian spirit like nothing we have seen in decades.”
The capital-city viewer count of 4.5 million is likewise a record with 1.4 and 1.38 million alone in Sydney and Melbourn respectively.
‘Fund them!’ PM cops grilling over Matildas praise
Having ridden the coat-tails of the Matildas throughout their Women’s World Cup campaign, Anthony Albanese’s latest message of support for the team has been met with swift calls for the Prime Minister to put the nation’s money where his mouth is.
After Australia’s hopes of a dream title on home soil were ended with a 3-1 loss to England at Stadium Australia on Wednesday night, Mr Albanese took to Twitter to praise the Matildas’ ‘incredible skill, ferocity and flair in defeat’.
“@TheMatildas are an absolute inspiration. You’ve shown incredible skill, ferocity and flair, and a camaraderie that defines what it means to play team sport,” Mr Albanese wrote.
“You’ve given us all moments and memories that will last a lifetime. Cortnee Vine rocketing the ball into the net in the final penalty against France. Mackenzie Arnold’s brick-wall saves. Sam Kerr leading the team on and off the field.
“Every single Matilda has brought us joy throughout this @FIFAWWC. And I have no doubt that the next generation of Matildas were watching. We’ll all be cheering for you on Saturday.”
However, the prevailing response to the praise was to urge the PM to continue the upward progression of football in Australia and ensure government funding is given to the sport, money previously dominated by the AFL and NRL in particular.
The response comes after Australian football icon Craig Foster called out politicians nationwide for jumping on the Matildas’ bandwagon throughout the World Cup, saying he has kept ‘receipts’ and will hold them to their support.
“Every MP who’s held up a ‘go Matildas’ sign or put out a tweet saying ‘Tillies till I die’, there’s receipts and I’ve tucked them all away, and I’ll be coming for you in the future, because there’s a price to pay when you’re doing that,” Foster told The Canberra Times on Saturday.
Speaking after the loss, Matildas captain Sam Kerr echoed the calls for greater funding for the sport, saying she hopes the team’s remarkable run ‘is the start of something new’.
“We need funding in our development, we need funding in our grassroots. We need funding everywhere,” Kerr said.
“Comparison to other sports isn’t really good enough and hopefully this tournament kind of changes that because that’s the legacy you leave, not what you do on the pitch.
“The legacy is what you do off the pitch. Hopefully. I mean, it’s hard to talk about now, but hopefully that this is the start of something new.”
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson agreed, saying “This is not the end of something, this needs to be the start of something – and that comes with money as well.”
Sam Kerr thanks the fans after Australia’s World Cup semi-final loss. (Photo by Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images)
Foster slams ‘patronising’ royals’ response to Matildas’ loss
A Tweet from the Prince and Princess of Wales praising England’s World Cup semi-final win over Australia while paying tribute to the Matildas’ efforts have been panned by Craig Foster.
The Australian football icon bit back at what he deemed a ‘patronising pat on the head’ from the royal duo.
“What a phenomenal performance from the @Lionesses – on to the final! Commiserations to @TheMatildas, you’ve played brilliantly and been fantastic co-hosts of this World Cup,” the message read.
Foster, though, was unimpressed, saying that the Prince and Princess have had ‘not a word for Australia’ throughout the tournament.
“We prefer the honesty. Without the patronising pat on the head in defeat,” Foster wrote.
“Support @lionesses & let us get on with our business, mate.”
Foster finished with a cheeky call for Australia to secede from the UK, tagging in the Australian Republic Movement.
The Prince and Princess weren’t the only English royals to direct praise the Matildas’ way, with King Charles also sending a message of commiseration.
“While your [England’s] victory may have cost the magnificent Matildas their chance for the greatest prize in the game, both teams have been an inspiration on and off the pitch – and, for that, both nations are united in pride, admiration and respect,” His Majesty said.
Kerr unfazed by wonder goal, laments late missed chances
The elation of scoring a goal for the ages means little to Matildas captain Sam Kerr after her side’s gut-wrenching elimination from the Women’s World Cup.
Kerr’s thunderbolt in the 63rd minute looked to have flipped Wednesday’s meeting with England on its head as she sent the Stadium Australia crowd into a frenzy.
But the glee of her majestic 30-yard rocket was short lived with the Lionesses qualifying for Sunday’s final with two late goals that secured them a 3-1 win.
Kerr has had to endure a frustrating tournament, only returning in cameo stints in the knockout stages after missing the entire group stage with a calf problem.
The semi-final defeat was her first start of the competition.
The fact the Matildas had even got this far without her was an achievement but Kerr could not help but feel devastated by the semi-final exit.
“All I can think about is disappointment right now,” Kerr told reporters when asked about her goal.
“I think that’s kind of the only thing that’s keeping me smiling right now, is the way that we’ve inspired the nation, everyone’s got behind us.
“The tournament’s been amazing, every single team, player, person that’s visited has said how beautiful our country is.
“So I think for us, it’s been hopefully life-changing for women’s football in Australia.”
Kerr had a number of chances late in the game to draw Australia level but the Matildas skipper was unable to convert, blasting one over the bar and having another cleared off the line.
It is unclear how she will be used in Saturday’s third-place play-off against Sweden in Brisbane given her heavy load in the quarter-final and semi-final.
Coach Tony Gustavsson said Kerr was beating herself up for her failure to get the Matildas back into the game.
Kerr said England’s composure was the difference between the two sides after the Lionesses hit them on the counter late in the game to seal victory.
“There was only a couple of moments in the game and I guess they took theirs,” Kerr said.
“I thought it was honestly pretty even and from where I was sitting it kind of ebbed and flowed each way but after we scored I thought we were going to go and score another.
“Then they kind of took momentum back so I guess it felt like it would have been a great game to watch honestly from where I was.”
(AAP)
‘We find a way’: England coach praises team’s semi-final heroics, dismisses final favouritism
With hosts Australia brushed aside, England boss Sarina Wiegman has her side in a World Cup and potentially just 90 minutes from ending 57 years of hurt.
Wiegman described the achievement of a 3-1 win over the Matildas in Wednesday’s semi-final as “like a fairytale”, as goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo secured England’s victory.
The Lionesses will meet Spain at Stadium Australia on Sunday with Wiegman charged with ending England’s wait for a World Cup title – in men’s or women’s football – that stretches all the way back to 1966.
“Going to the final feels really good,” Wiegman said.
“I know you don’t take anything for granted and it’s so hard to reach a final.
“Even though you might be the favourite, we’ve seen a lot at this tournament where good teams have gone out in the group stage.
“Every step has been really hard but we find a way, and the women’s game has grown so much it’s really hard to get through.
“I know it’s really special and that’s how it feels too.”
Not since Sir Alf Ramsey’s 4-2 victory over West Germany at Wembley nearly six decades ago has England won a world title.
It has been a millstone around English necks for generation after generation, although Wiegman’s side went some way to relieve that pressure by winning last year’s Euros.
Dutch-born Wiegman is now into her fourth straight major final after taking her homeland and England to successive Euros and World Cup finals.
The Lionesses were assured throughout Wednesday’s semi-final and even when Sam Kerr levelled the scores on the hour mark, they kept composed with Hemp and Russo guiding them to victory inside 90 minutes.
“There was no fear in the squad,” Hemp said.
“That showed the relentlessness in the squad to make it 2-1 and when we were on the back foot we found the way to make it 3-1.
“Any challenge we face, we’re able to deal with it.
“We’ve all got a dream and I feel like we’re really pushing each other to be the best that we can be.”
(AAP)
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
100% - - agreed - - love Tassie and IF this stadium does get built - - Hobart for sport will be many levels higher on my 'bucket list'. It's now 11 years since I took the family there - we did footy both at Launceston (Good Friday TSL game) and Bellerive (NMFC smashing first season GWS).
scrum
Roar Rookie
I get what you are saying . Stadiums are funded by government elsewhere but this one was driven by the AFL in large but you could say that for the Commbank in Parra being driven by the NRL. On a brighter side have just come back from a holiday in Tassie. Amazing State and loved Hobart. If not for family I would happily reside there. It’s an incredibly beautiful city, the CBD needs a bit of sprucing up but so much good architecture. Exceptional job around Constitution Dock. Just loved the place.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
No mate - You're still asserting that because the AFL is the primary and initial tenant then it's effectively money spent on the AFL. This venue will be there for all to use. Similar to how the Vic Govt 100% funded AAMI Park for the Storm and Victory and since along have come the Rebels and 'City'. There IS a degree of 'build it and they will come'. Now of course - - the A-League Mens/Womens are most welcome to set up shop in Tassie and use the venue across summer. Or the NRL - on the success of the Las Vegus junket might consider an expansion side in Hobart. NOTHING to stop them. It's NOT an AFL venue. It's a venue that's AFL-able. And cricket and any rectangular pitch that fits. Of course the AFL are major winners. The reality is that there are many in Tassie who have been desperate for a project like this to drag the city into the 21st century........can't rely entirely on MONA. btw - taxpayer dollars are well spent on used public infrastructure and economic 'pie building'. The stadium in Hobart and a permanent AFL team/club (remember - - unlike FIFO players in other codes/tournaments - the AFL guys will live in Hobart, training, playing.) will actually add to the economic pie rather than simply re-dividing the existing pie.
chris1
Roar Rookie
They should hold concerts at the SCG the night before a cricket test match. If the wicket gets churned up it shouldn't matter as it'll be the same for both sides.
chris1
Roar Rookie
scrum we all know that the AFL is a parasitic, insular organisation. Only the brainwashed zealots from Melbourne would tell you otherwise.
scrum
Roar Rookie
You are conveniently ignoring the fact that this stadium would not be built except it has to be built for the AFL to have a team in Tassie. It’s a demand of the AFL. Clearly $700 mil of taxpayers money is being spent at the behest of the AFL. It will be used for other purposes but that is a by product. And $9 million in penalties if the stadium is not finished on time.. More taxpayer dollars to the AFL despite the fact that $700 mil would have been spent already, please remember it is taxpayers dollars. As I stated there would be other options to stage the matches in the meantime which have been seen as acceptable for a number of years. Good on the AFL management for pulling off the deal but please let’s not pretend they are not the major winners in this deal.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
#scrum You are again confusing a public multi purpose venue as funding for a specific sport organisation. It isn't. It's a venue for hire. If the stadium is not ready on time it has a major impact regarding the available capacities and economics of facilities including corporate. Pretty sure if the Wallabies were booked in for a game March 2028 and the stadium not be finished in time then there'd be some form of penalty clause.
scrum
Roar Rookie
It’s pretty simple.Taxpayers investing $700 million in a stadium whose prime purpose is to play AFL. That’s black and white. And I consider those clauses extremely draconian. If the stadium is not ready on time the matches can be played at Bellerive or Launceston. Both Hawthorn and North Melbourne do that now.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Yeah - I just don’t find I engage with it at all - I watch my rather average premier league side week in week out, even though we just lost Harry Kane, but yet have absolutely zero interest in the Perth Glory who are my local side. I find the AFL teams in Perth for example engage far better with the community than the Glory or the Force do, even though both Freo and particularly WC are poor this year. It’s an issue the A-League has to work through - with the money in Saudi and the MLS it’s hard to see the A - League being an attractive proposition for many players too.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Would rather see them do the concerts at Marvel in Melbourne- it’s a second rate AFL venue but a first rate venue for multipurpose usage like that - the issue is the AFL owns that ground.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
we're negotiating a turn Waz, that bill business - that's all behind us now. Roar is going to be a club and team we are all proud of if our two new execs keep going they way they've started out.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
#Pacman Yeah.....nah. Australia is massively immature as a nation. Sadly I used that line somewhat tongue in cheek as a lament.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
#Scrum The "draconian clauses"....as revealed in this article. "a penalty of $4.5 million if the stadium construction is not 50 per cent completed by October 2027 and another $4.5 million sting if the arena is not ready to host games by 2028" Not sure that's 'Draconian'. The AFL is investing a huge amount to establish a club in Hobart. To get the budgeting and timelines in place - - and the licence has been granted with 2028 the slated start date. Can't start in an unfinished stadium incapable of hosting games. And remember - it's a 19th club so without a 20th club it doesn't result in an extra broadcast game per round. I think you need to remember that Tassie and various premiers/govts over the years have been courting the AFL for a long, long time. And in between they've tried to hurry the AFL up by raising the prospect of partnering with the NRL, with Soccer......and with and have done with the NBL. The prime function of the stadium? Of course it's prime function will be as an AFL venue as that's the sole initial tenant. The main question I'd ask is whether the capacity is too limiting. No doubt the Tassie Hurricanes BBL will set up there if able - it'll be amazing in summer. Not sure exactly on the roof, no roof, retractable roof regarding international cricket. When you say the "the biggest recipient of taxpayer largesse is the AFL".......please - list it out.
chris1
Roar Rookie
Funbus how about Prince William gunning for Colombia in the bid process over Aus/NZ for this current WWC? The Royals don't give a rats about us. Time we did the same.
Adam
Roar Guru
Oh yeah it's going to get ripped up and that's unfair on all the users of the stadium
chris1
Roar Rookie
Adam you are right in that. The new football stadium is a fabulous place to watch football. The concern this year is that the state govt has pledged to hold up to 30 concerts there (up from 2 I think). We all know what concerts can do to the playing surface.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Exactly. It can only be considered “shared” if they have done level of control. The QRU could boot them out tomorrow (and probably will if they don’t pay rent again lol).
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
very true and hard to overcome. Still think the A-League is still a pretty good league.
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
Importantly, they still ended up watching. My best mate actually got into it with a bit of passionate support.
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
another who thinks he is important for bagging our part. Chris Lewis, proud Aussie, republican and fan on England (albeit an imperfect country like every other one).