Reporting from Brisbane Stadium in Australia.
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Australia is moving on to the World Cup semifinals after beating France in a 10-round penalty shootout following a 0-0 score after extra time. Matildas fever has taken over Australia, and the party will keep going into next week.
Watch parties were held across the country, allowing fans to gather to cheer on the Matildas. Perth’s Optus Stadium went a step further and showed the match on the big screen. Fans were turned away from a full fan zone viewing party in Brisbane’s Southbank.
Fans of all ages have been following Australia’s run at the World Cup. Popular sports like Aussie rules football and Rugby have taken a back seat. You can’t go anywhere without seeing someone with a Matildas jersey, scarf or flag, and the team was met with cheers during its walk through Brisbane’s Central Business District before playing France.