‘Aussie Aussie Aussie’: Fans rejoice as Matildas kick off their World Cup campaign on a high

Despite the loss of their captain Sam Kerr to injury, the Matildas have triumphed over a resilient Ireland team in their World Cup debut.

In front of a packed stadium, Australia secured a 1-0 win over Ireland with replacement captain Steph Catley securing the winning goal in the second half of the match.

It was a hard-earned victory for the Aussie side with few chances to convert goals in the first half and a relentless Ireland side applying pressure throughout the match.

However, the Matildas were ultimately able to hold strong and secure the crucial victory and gain the precious three points.

FT | We kick off our #FIFAWWC campaign with a 1-0 victory on home soil!

Next up: ???????? v ???????? – 27.7.23 (8pm AEST) #Matildas pic.twitter.com/cpHwLhmEHU

— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) July 20, 2023

Following the victory, Catley revealed that it was “hard to put into words” what the win meant to her and her teammates.

“It’s been such a big lead-up and I think we had a lot of adrenaline, so at times there were moments where we were working through that,” she told Optus Sport.

“It was a little bit sloppy and a little bit over-zealous, but in the end we got the result and that’s what you need to do in tournaments like this.”

Head Coach Tony Gustavsson offered some words of praise after the game, acknowledging that the team had faced its fair share of challenges in the lead-up to the match.

“Of course it’s intense but that’s tournament football,” he said.

“This game was going to be tough, we’ve seen Ireland against top teams before, and all the teams that are here are going to put up a fight. Look at New Zealand beating Norway in Auckland, everyone can beat everyone.

“Tournament football is about always finding a way to win. There’s been a lot of challenges thrown at this team in the last 24 hours.”

As the final whistle blew, Aussies across the nation were swept up in the excitement of the Matildas’ victory with countless fans taking to social media to praise the team for their “fully deserved victory”.

LET’S GO ????

— Qantas (@Qantas) July 20, 2023

+ Awesome start ladies! #Matildas

— Adriano Di Prato (@AdrianoDiPrato) July 20, 2023

Solid win @TheMatildas ???? @stephcatley proved her captaincy. ???? ???????? #matildas #FIFAWomensWorldCup

— Anthony Scalise (@esilacSynohtnA) July 20, 2023

Congratulation girls, you are amazing, ????????????????????????????????

— MariaCristina (@MariCristin) July 20, 2023

A fully deserved victory

— DOUBLE CHAMPIONS (@KenyanPirates) July 20, 2023

Congratulations. I believe deep in my heart ❤️ you are the new world champion.

— Diana Cordova (@DianaCo12326386) July 20, 2023

Well done girls!!! Fantastic performance! ????????????????

— Bray (@_Brissle) July 20, 2023

Congratulations girls. So proud of you. Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi ????????????????

— Jade Hockey (@HockeyJade) July 20, 2023

Brilliant! And this is just the beginning ????

— KayPea ???????????? (@kpunj15) July 20, 2023

An incredible start to the #FIFAWWC! ????

— FIFA (@FIFAcom) July 20, 2023

Australia will next face off against Nigeria at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on July 27.