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Aug 2023
30m 49s

Matildas mania sweeps across Australia

Bbc World Service
About this episode

Mani Djazmi is in Brisbane, as co-hosts Australia reach the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup for the very first time after beating France 7-6 in a dramatic penalty shootout after it finished goalless after 120 minutes.

Mani speaks to ecstatic Australia fans outside the Brisbane Stadium, as Matildas mania sweeps across the country. We hear from a passionate Australia manager Tony Gustavsson after leading his history-making team into the last four, while France manager Herve Renard reflects on his side's dramatic exit from the tournament. An emotional Samantha Lewis from ABC News stops by to try and sum up what this achievement means for Australian women's football.

Elsewhere, Katie Smith is in Sydney speaking to more delirious Aussie fans following their historic win. Australia will face England in the semi-finals at Stadium Australia on Wednesday after coming from a goal down to beat Colombia. Katie reflects on a good night's work for Sarina Wiegman's side with former England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley.

Image: (L-R) Mary Fowler, Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley of Australia celebrate the team’s victory through the penalty shootout following the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Quarter Final match between Australia and France at Brisbane Stadium on August 12, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

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