The Matildas rode their luck for much of the tournament in France, but it ran out in dramatic fashion against Norway, as Ante Milicic’s side fell to a 4-1 penalty shootout defeat following a gruelling 1-1 draw.

Both sides had their share of scoring opportunities at Stade de Nice, but Australia’s failure to take any of several early chances, including a narrow Sam Kerr miss within the opening minute, ultimately proved costly.

The Matildas overcame the concession of an early Isabella Herlovsen goal, and the extra-time sending off of Alanna Kennedy to force penalties after an epic 1-1 draw.

However, unsuccessful spot-kicks from Sam Kerr and Emily Gielnik proved to be too much overcome in the shootout.

The Matildas came back from a goal behind to force a 1-1 draw, then survived extra time despite Alanna Kennedy’s red card, but misses by Sam Kerr and Emily Gielnik proved decisive in the shootout, leaving Norway to celebrate a superb win.

Having emerged victorious from an epic match, Norway will now face England or Cameroon in Le Havre on Thursday, while Australia must look forward to challenges to come.

The prolific 25-year-old was stunning in Australia’s 4-1 win over the Reggae Girlz, scoring two headers in the first-half, before finding the back of the net twice more with her left foot after the break.

In doing so, Kerr not only joined United States forward Alex Morgan, with five goals, on the top of the tournament’s scoring charts but became the first Australian player to score a World Cup hat-trick.

She is also the first player, man or woman, from any AFC nation to hit the back of the net four times in a senior World Cup match.

The Matildas victory means they will now meet Norway in the Round of 16, after they finished in second place on the group table, narrowly ahead of Brazil, who beat Italy 1-0 in the other Group C match.

Kerr scored twice in each half to help the Matildas to their second successive win, with her sensational display taking her level with Alex Morgan as the competition’s top scorer on five goals.

The tagline comes as part of a nationwide celebration of Australia’s win over the South Americans, which has included major press outlets, football icons and political leaders.

The Matildas were down, and potentially on the way out, when facing a 2-0 deficit just prior to half-time, but goals to Caitlin Foord and Chloe Logarzo, and an own goal from Brazilian defender Monica completed a spectacular recovery.

In a match which has been dubbed the ‘Miracle of Montpellier’, Australia were staring down the barrel of a shock group stage exit when Cristiane put the South Americans 2-0 up in the 38th minute, but, against all the odds, they emerged with all three points.

Caitlin Foord pulled a goal back just before half time, before Player of the Match Chloe Logarzo levelled the tie in the 58th minute, with a VAR-influenced own goal from Brazilian defender Monica ultimately completing a remarkable recovery.