The Matildas have broken yet another record in their performance at the 2023 FIFA World Cup, as an astounding 6.54 million people in total have tuned in to watch their win over Denmark.
There were 3.18 million viewers watching the national broadcast of the game on Channel 7 on Monday night, as well as another 384,000 people watching on Seven’s streaming service, 7plus.
Around 2.29 million viewers came from Australian capital cities, overtaking the 1.98 million who watched the first game of the men’s State of Origin and the 2.179 million people who tuned in to the 2022 men’s AFL grand final.
In fact, Monday night’s game had more viewers than every men’s NRL grand final and men’s State of Origin since 2016, as well as the past seven men’s AFL grand finals.
The broadcast of the game has become the highest rating TV program of 2023, and is the most watched program for an individual event on 7plus ever.
Fans on social media congratulated the Matildas on their latest record-breaking moment during the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“What does this tell you about women’s sport?” wrote one person on Twitter.
“How good! Huge result,” another tweeted.
“What an amazing night!” said a third.
More than 75,000 fans attended the match at Stadium Australia in Sydney Olympic Park on Monday night to watch the Matildas beat Denmark in a 2-0 win, sending the Australian side into the quarter finals.
Caitlin Foord scored the Matildas’ first goal, with Mary Fowler in top form delivering the “first class” pass to set it up. Hayley Raso scored in the second half, securing the win for the Aussies.
Late in the game, Sam Kerr returned to the pitch after sitting out the entire tournament due to a calf injury. In a post-match interview, she told reporters she was “just relieved and happy to be back out there”.
“[The team] have absolutely smashed it in the last few games,” she said.
“They’ve all done so well and dealt with so much, as a team we’re all really proud – that’s what teams are for, everyone’s dug deep.”
The record-breaking Round 16 match against Denmark isn’t expected to be the last. The Matildas’ quarter final match against France will be played this Saturday August 5 at 5pm AEST in Brisbane, QLD, which could exceed the current ratings and viewership once again.