FIFA Women's World Cup; Australia Grabs All Points In A Record Breaking Football Attendance

The Matildas kicked off their 2023 FIFA Women’s World cup on a winning note defeating debutant Republic of Ireland by 1-0 thanks to a Stephanie Catley penalty.

Australia were forced to play the opening game without their star player and captain Sam Kerr who was ruled out due to a calf injury sustained in training.

The co-host carried on well without her with players like Hayley Raso and captain of the day Stephanie Catley stepping up to give Australia the cutting edge and eventually seeing off a well organized Republic of Ireland side who won’t go down without a fight.

🚨 Australia Grabs All Three Points

⚽ Stephanie Catley penalty conversion seals 1-0 victory against Ireland
⚽ Record attendance for women's football in Australia at 75,784
⚽ Both hosts have won their games by 1-0#FIFAWomensWorldCup2023 #FIFAWomensWorldCup #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/Dsk9dDJDMr

— The Super Strikaz (@thesuperstrikaz) July 20, 2023

Arsenal’s forward and stand in captain, Stephanie Catley becomes the first woman to successfully convert a penalty in this year’s tournament after New Zealand Ria Parcival had earlier missed from the spot.

🚨 First Conversion From The Spot

Stephanie Catley of Australia has converted the first penalty at the #FIFAWomensWorldCup2023

It was the second penalty awarded at the tournament. The first was missed by New Zealand's Ria Parcival.#FIFAWWC #FIFAWomensWorldCup pic.twitter.com/VbzLgPJJB1

— The Super Strikaz (@thesuperstrikaz) July 20, 2023

It was a record breaking attendance in the history of women’s game as the Accor Stadium recorded 75,784 spectators surpasing the previous 58,432 set in 2000 in Sydney in an Olympic game between Sweden and Brazil.

Australia vs Ireland game has recorded the highest attendance in women's football in Australia at the @AccorStadium

⚽ 75,784 spectators

⚽ Beats previous record of 58,432 during the game between Sweden and Brazil at the Sydney 2000 Olympics#FIFAWomensWorldCup2023 #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/EDeN7SEVeC

— The Super Strikaz (@thesuperstrikaz) July 20, 2023