Following an anxiety-filled night, the task of bringing a moment of relief (followed by pure, unbridled joy) to the audience at the Shepparton Showgrounds fell fittingly to a native.
It was a tense penalty shoot-out on Saturday, August 12, before Cortnee Vine slotted the winning spot kick for the Matildas, beating France and sending Australia into the Women’s World Cup semi-finals.
Vine made her soccer debut for St George’s Rd Primary School, and now she’s a mainstay in Australia’s squad.
News photographer Rechelle Zammit headed to the showgrounds to capture the roller-coaster of emotions at the community public screening.
The Matildas will face England on Wednesday, August 16, at 8pm, where they will continue their quest to bring a Fifa World Cup trophy to Australia for the first time.