Matilda’s World Cup victory over France shatters TV records as match becomes Australia’s most-watched program since Cathy Freeman’s Olympic victory over 20 years ago
Matilda’s World Cup victory over France shatters TV records as match becomes Australia’s most-watched program since Cathy Freeman’s Olympic victory over 20 years ago
As if beating France to reach a historic Women’s World Cup semi-final on home soil wasn’t enough, the Matildas have upped the ante by becoming Australia’s biggest ratings hit in over two decades.
The Seven Network, the tournament’s free-to-air broadcaster, said a peak audience of 7.2 million tuned in for Australia’s 7-6 penalty shootout victory over the French in Brisbane on Saturday.
Cathy Freeman’s iconic 400m final at the Sydney Olympics reportedly drew a record 8.8 million viewers, though OZTam records were not kept in 2000.
An average of 4.17 million people tuned into the quarterfinals on the Seven Network, which it says enjoyed a record 472,000 viewers streaming the game on its digital arm 7Plus.
At its peak, more than seven million Aussies watched Ellie Carpenter (pictured) and her Matildas teammates achieve one of the biggest victories in the country’s sporting history
Only Cathy Freeman’s famous victory in the 400m final at the Sydney Olympics attracted more viewers than the victory over France
Those numbers do not reflect fans watching in public places or viewers who watched the game on Optus Sport.
It marked a monumental day for Australia, with the Matildas receiving congratulations from across the sporting landscape.
John Aloisi, who has etched his name in folklore with the penalty that sent the Socceroos to the 2006 World Cup, was delighted to see match winner Cortnee Vine surpass him as Australia’s most talked about penalty taker.
“I’m glad I got demoted (to second place), I don’t care,” Aloisi said during commentary for The Seven Network.
“We are in a semi-final and this is what a World Cup does, it brings the whole country together.”
The viewership would be even higher if fans who watched the match on live sites, pubs and even AFL games were included in the total (pictured Cortnee Vine being swarmed by her teammates after scoring the winning goal). penalties)
Australian wheelchair tennis icon Dylan Alcott joked on social media: “My God, that was the closest I’ve ever been to standing up.”
Views from pubs, live sites and lounge areas reflected the nation’s mood as Australia rejoiced in a victory that puts them on a collision course with England in Wednesday’s semi-final.
There were also scenes of supporters streaming the Matildas match while attending NRL and AFL matches.
Carlton wingman Blake Acres and his teammates had their eye on the Matildas ahead of their AFL clash with Melbourne, but admitted to being confused by the noise in the MCG stands once their game started.
“I remember they kept cheering all through the first quarter and I didn’t know what was going on,” Acres said.
It was clearly the penalty shootout they were cheering for.
“When they went crazy in quarter time, I just looked up at the (big screen) and saw a cheese ad right there, I thought, ‘What’s going on here? They celebrate cheese’.’