Heartbreaking moment Matilda Lydia Williams cries all alone after losing to Sweden – as the team’s longest-serving star prepares to pull out of the game
- Williams was alone in a penalty area after the final whistle
- Keeper has been selected at five World Cups
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Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams had an emotional moment for herself after Australia’s historic Women’s World Cup run came to an end with Saturday night’s 2-0 defeat to Sweden.
Williams, the longest-serving Matilda with a career spanning 18 years, made history alongside teammate Clare Polkinghorne as the first Australian to be selected in five World Cups.
It all seemed to be sinking in for the 35-year-old after a tired and exhausted Matildas side lost their battle against Sweden for third place in their own World Cup.
The veteran keeper was seen long after the final whistle sitting alone in the box enjoying the bright lights of a World Cup for the last time.
Football fans who had remained at Brisbane Stadium after the game noticed the emotional moment, also noting that it was Williams’ substitute Mackenzie Arnold who consoled her first.
Lydia Williams had an emotional moment for herself after Australia’s historic Women’s World Cup run ended with a 2-0 defeat to Sweden
The 35-year-old Williams was comforted by her fellow goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold after the loss
“Lydia Williams crying in goal after her last World Cup is the end for me,” a Matildas fan tweeted.
“I’m so happy she got to finish on home soil at a World Cup, given the crowd like this. That is both uplifting and heartbreaking. Great photo,’ replied another.
“That is so heartbreaking, I have no words for it,” a third responded.
The shot-stopper began her national team career with her first call-up to the camp at just 15 years old.
In July 2005, she earned her first cap in her debut match against South Korea.
Since then, Williams has racked up 102 international caps for the Matildas, including four World Cups, two Olympics and six Asian Cups.
Williams never dreamed she would play in a World Cup for Australia in Australia.
“It’s kind of crazy to be honest,” Williams told reporters ahead of the tournament.
“I never thought we (Australia) would have a World Cup at home let alone go to five (myself), which is pretty insane when you think about it.
“I feel really excited and honored and blessed with this opportunity.”
After the match, Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson reflected on the side’s remarkable run in the tournament that captured the hearts of the nation.
“It’s a difficult time to find the right words, to be honest,” he said of his last team meeting with the players.
“I said I know we are hurt. We wanted to bring home a medal for this team, for these fans, families, friends, for this country.
“It’s the second major tournament now that we’ve played for a medal and we’re missing out.
“But I also said that we may have won something bigger than a medal in this tournament.
“Now is a difficult time to talk about that, but if we step back from this game and look at the whole tournament, I think we might have won something bigger than a medal.”