Matilda mania is sweeping Australia as its World Cup team breaks viewership records

Call it soccer or football, the Australian women's team is on an unprecedented run in the World Cup.

Who are they? The Matildas are Australia's national women's soccer team, and have been surpassing expectations — even beyond the historic progress to the semi-finals in the Women's World Cup.

What's the big deal? Aside from the sheer vibes from a good game of sport? Well, the Matildas are proving that they can succeed far beyond just their athletic capabilities.

Want more on women's sports? Listen to Consider This on the current moment for women's college basketball.

What are people saying? Hadid spoke to some of those voices who have watched female athletes fight on the field and on the screen for their credit.

Crawford on the progress made by the Matildas:

The audience was always there. It's just never been catered to, if you like.

That's why this tournament is so significant and why we're all feeling so emotional. It's that, for so long, we've been told there's no value. There's no market. There's no audience. But you can't help but wonder - could we have been here a little bit sooner?

Van Badham, a columnist for The Guardian, who wrote about the joy and sadness in watching the Matildas and their young fans:

They were screaming and leaping on their seats. Nobody was policing them, telling them to be more ladylike. Nobody was telling them to "settle petal." There was finally this cultural moment where these girls could be themselves, and that really brought it all home to me. I burst into tears.

So, what now?

Learn more:

Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.