Matildas Shift Focus To England's Lionesses After Historic Women's World Cup Win | 10 News First

The Mighty Matildas have touched down in Sydney to prepare for their semi-final clash with England on Wednesday night. Their epic win against France is the biggest sporting moment in the nation's history since Cathy Freeman's 400 metre win at the Sydney Olympics. We're all still recovering from the 180 nail-biting minutes on the edge of our seats through extra time and then a World Cup record 20 shots in the penalty shootout that decided the victor. Reporter Sarah Navon begins our coverage. The party vibes just kept rolling for the Matildas. Midfielder Katrina Gorey turning 31 today. But nothing beats this show-stopping celebration. A stunning hard-fought victory now etched in the minds of Australians. After a thrilling three-hour performance, the Aussies and French forced into a nail-biting penalty shootout, the longest in World Cup history. And in the final moments, it was 21-year-old Courtney Vines' time to shine. The stadium erupted, hitting over 123 decibels, more than the loudest state-of-origin match. No Australian team male has ever reached a World Cup semi-final. Aussie fans roared at live sites across the country, in lounge rooms and around the globe. Soldiers in the spirit too. A nation united in celebration of our girls in green and gold. The party lasting long into the night. The tension throughout the game was palpable. The Matildas didn't lose their laser-sharp focus as the nation held its breath. For the French, there was this devastating miss as star player number 23, Vicky Beko, hit the post. Our golden girls gripped each other as they put away the goals. Yeah, honestly, I don't really know. I'm lost for words. Former Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott saying it's the closest he's been to standing up. While at the MCG, spectators turned away from the Blues-Demons AFL match to watch. The game, equal parts agonising and electric. Caitlyn Ford relentless in her pursuit of the ball. The Riz-Raz-Ribbons-Rasso building a strong following too. A lot of emotions, relief, excitement. It was so nerve-wracking at the end there. Exhaustion peaking, the team powered through with the sheer grit that makes them unstoppable. They're just tenacious, man. When they're the underdog, that's when they really fight. Mackenzie Arnold had our back time and time again. I did my job and so did the girls, so I'm super proud of them. From her local football club in Burley Heads. She's amazing now. We wouldn't be the Matildas without Mackenzie Arnold. Celebrating Arnold's courage, missing her own penalty shoot-out shot. But keeping her head in the game to be named Player of the Match. I'm extremely overwhelmed but I'm so proud to be a part of this team and proud to be Australian right now as well. Former Australian professional soccer player Tim Cahill backing the Tillys all the way. By beating France, it's probably the most strongest opposition, so there's no reason why they can't go on to win it. Captain Sam Kerr says the dream was for the World Cup to change football in this nation forever. Something they've already achieved. With Matilda-mania in the form of exhilarating crowds growing by the second. I got Gorrie's signature, Sam Kerr and Lydia Williams. How does that make you feel? Good. Do you think that they can win the semi-finals? Yes! They've now inched closer to what would be an almighty feat. Sam, how easy was it to get to sleep last night? Not very easy at all actually. How was the celebration? It was now, we've got work to do. They sure have got some work to do now. Sarah's live at the team hotel in Darling Harbour. Sarah, I can't imagine how they're focusing on Wednesday. We're still basking in the glory of that win last night. We sure are, Barthy. We are a nation grinning from ear to ear right now after last night's spellbinding performance. The team has arrived here at the Soffitel in Sydney's Darling Harbour where they'll be doing some recovering and spending some time with family. They actually boarded the bus again just moments ago, perhaps to go and get a bite to eat. Maybe one of Sam Kerr's famous pasta sandwiches that we know she enjoys. As we saw last night, tired legs did not hold back this team's tenacity. Newspapers are calling them the Mithrilders. Australians are replaying that show-stopping moment of victory on repeat. They really did give it their all. So they'll obviously be taking stock so that they can perform at their best against England. These women have captivated the country and are becoming household names, lifting women's sport to new heights. And we're soaking up every second. Barthy? Thanks, Sarah. Sarah Novan there live from the Mithrilders team hotel. When Mithrilders midfielder Katrina Gorey nailed Australia's sixth penalty shot, the Brisbane-born midfielder kissed her wrist, pointed to the sky and rocked her arms. Most thought it was for her little girl. But it was also for someone she lost, the 31-year-old revealing her family's heartbreak. To Harper, she's just mum. To Australia, she's an absolute champion. Katrina Gorey beaming from ear to ear this morning with her toddler by her side. Today's celebrations also marking her 31st birthday. But from the high of her history-making win, family heartbreak too. Kissing her wrist to remember a loved one. Rocking her arms for her little one after that nail-biting penalty shot in the final minutes. Yeah, it was. And also my fiancé's dad passed away a couple of nights ago. So, yeah, it was for both of them. Triumph during the most emotionally testing time for Brisbane-born Gorey. Her game day glory bringing redemption too after the Mithrilders' loss to Nigeria. It's super special for all of us, you know. We believed in ourselves. We knew that we were going to pull through. And, you know, unfortunately we lost here last time, but it gave us that belief inside us. We knew that we wanted to go all the way. And it's hoped they'll go all the way with the entire nation behind them. Wednesday's semi-final clash with the Poms will be an absolute belter. Game day nerves will be teamed with yet another birthday as little Harper, who's been on mum's football journey since the start, turns two. Three sleeps to go. Everyone did their job. We had the home fans just, you know, loud as ever. And, you know, in the last minutes they pulled us through for sure. We have so much belief in this team. We have so much belief in the nation. And so do we. Brendan Smith for 10 News First. So, who stands in the way of the Mithrilders and a maiden World Cup title? Veronica Egleton joins us now. V, we're down to the final four in the tournament. What can you tell us about them? Life in the Cup moves on quickly. Barthi, Australia's first concern, will be England on Wednesday night. And there'll be plenty of familiar faces for the Aussies, with many of them club team-mates in the UK. There's no question the Lionesses are a football powerhouse. Ranked fourth in the world, the English fans, including David Beckham, have already declared it's coming home. They're no strangers to success as the current European champions. But they've been dealt a blow with star midfielder Lauren James to miss the match as she serves a red card suspension. The Mithrilders' attack will, of course, be tested by one of the game's best goalkeepers in Mary Earps. Of course, if the Aussies do win on Wednesday night, they'll already know who they'll face in the decider. Spain take on Sweden on Tuesday for the first spot in the final. Sweden are third in the world and have long-running history in the World Cup, finishing third in 2003. But, of course, their biggest scalp this tournament was knocking out the defending champions, the USA, in the round of 16. Spain, on the other hand, are emerging threat in women's football. They've never won a major title, but we'll be hoping this is the year they do it. But for us, well, the challenge, of course, now for the Mithrilders is to recover, take a breath and prepare for the biggest match of their careers. And, Barthi, we'll be with them all the way to Wednesday. We certainly will be. We're all on the bandwagon now. Plenty of room on it. Jump on board. Thanks, Bea.