Matildas 2-0 Denmark
Sydney has lit up in green & gold as the Matildas defeat Denmark 2-0 in regular time to head to their 4th quarter-finals in FIFA Women’s World Cup history.
Landmarks that lit up in green & gold in support of the Matildas since shortly before 6pm included:
- Sydney Opera House (western sails only)
- Luna Park including the Ferris Wheel
- Central Station Concourse
- Central Station Clock Tower (gold only)
- International Towers
- The State Library of New South Wales (NSW),
- The Art Gallery of NSW,
- The Calyx in the Royal Botanic Gardens,
- International Convention Centre,
- Novotel Sydney Central,
- Hyde Hacienda,
- The Argyle &
- Western Sydney Stadium.
Despite a very resistant Danish defence, the Matildas managed to put in 2 into the back of their nets. A tactical kicking masterstroke from Mary Fowler at around the field’s halfway mark allowed Caitlin Foord to score the opening goal in the 29th minute as she ran down a quarter of the length of the Danish sidelines to kick the ball through Danish goalkeeper, Lene Christensen’s legs to relieve the pressure from the Danes.
In the 70th minute, the Matildas once again got into the Denmark box & after a little pinball machine effect, the ball perfectly aligned between the goal & Hayley Raso, which she booted straight into the goal, to potentially seal Denmark’s fate.
In the 80th minute & what would become be the final 15 minutes of the match, Australian superstar, Sam Kerr, finally took to the field for her 1st match-time in the whole tournament so far after a calf injury in pre-opening match training. After an awkward fall shortly after taking the field left the entire Australian audience holding their breath, she got up uninjured & successfully led her team to their 4th quarter-finals in FIFA Women’s World Cup history & the 1st since 2015.
The Matildas will now play either France or Morocco in the quarter-final at Lang Park, Brisbane on Saturday at 5pm AEST. Their opponent will be decided tomorrow night in a Round of 16 match-up at Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide at 8:30pm local time.
It has not been confirmed whether the illuminations will now run nightly until & including the night of the quarter-final, but we expect confirmation before 6pm tomorrow. At the minimum, we are expecting the Sydney Opera House to continue lighting up. Any extra illuminations will be held, if any, until Midnight each night.
Even if any illumination continues, this will not be enough to redesignate the FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023 as an ‘extraordinary’ Sydney Spectacular as it features only 1 team & not all the teams/the event itself.
The final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand 2023 will be held at Stadium Australia, Sydney on Sunday the 20th of August at 8pm AEST.
Sydney Spectaculars 