THE Matildas have captured a wave of new fans and the hearts and minds of a nation with their personalities, performances and team unity throughout a rollercoaster FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament. 

The Australian national women’s team finished fourth after having played seven games at the World Cup, the most of any Australian soccer team – male or female. 

The rollercoaster ride that was the Matildas’ World Cup campaign included a potentially demoralising group-stage exit before a commanding 4-0 over Olympic champions Canada guaranteed a place in the round of 16. 

The Matildas denied a brave France by winning their quarter- final match 7-6 in a tense penalty shootout, after which they qualified for the semi-finals, the first of any Australian team at FIFA World Cups. 

But the Matildas’ groundbreaking…