Spain players celebrate during the awards ceremony of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Sydney, Australia on Aug. 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
The month-long FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand has exceeded expectations, with record crowds and a new champion crowned.
SYDNEY, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- After record crowds and unprecedented interest, with a new champion crowned amid increased competition, the FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand exceeded expectations in a tournament hailed as "transformative".
There has been much anticipation over the month-long first edition of the women's showpiece in the southern hemisphere, which expanded from 24 to 32 teams to reflect the growing interest of women's football worldwide.
With almost two million tickets sold, the tournament shattered attendance records in both Australia and New Zealand, with almost 76,000 fans watching Spain win their first title at Sydney's Stadium Australia on Sunday.
Two billion viewers watched the tournament worldwide, according to FIFA. And the unparalleled interest was especially notable in Australia, with the country at a standstill as the Matildas surged to a best-ever fourth place finish.
With huge public gatherings nationwide glued to big screens, Australia's matches in the knockout stage captivated the country like no other sporting event since arguably the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Australian fans cheer before the third place play-off against Sweden in Brisbane, Australia on Aug. 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Australia's semifinal loss to England was the most watched broadcast in the nation since figures were recorded.
While her campaign was mostly hampered by a calf injury, Australia captain Sam Kerr produced a spectacular long-range goal against England in an iconic moment for the tournament's poster player.
Australia were one of several breakout teams, adding increased depth and closing the gap to powerhouses the United States. Traditional heavyweight teams Germany, Italy and Brazil also faltered.
Having scraped into the knockout stage, the U.S. bid for an unprecedented third straight title ended in the last 16 after losing a penalty shootout to Sweden.
The U.S. had won four of the first eight Women's World Cup titles, but looked a shadow of their best in Australia and New Zealand as several rivals overtook them.
Megan Rapinoe of the United States fails to score during the penalty shootout of the round of 16 match against Sweden in Melbourne, Australia on Aug. 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)
European champions England stormed to their first final, while Spain reaped the rewards for investing into women's football in the past decade.
The tournament offered many surprises with debutants Morocco enjoying a remarkable run into the round of 16, while Colombia - inspired by their energetic fans in the stands - went on a barnstorming quarterfinal run.
Underdogs Jamaica and Nigeria also progressed beyond the group stage to showcase the game's expansion beyond traditional heartlands.
However, having been a women's powerhouse in the tournament's early years, China has stalled amid this development.
Hopes had been high for a resurgence after China's Asian Cup triumph last year, but the Steel Roses - runners-up in the 1999 tournament - crashed out at the group stage for the earliest exit in their World Cup history.
China will require significant investment to fuel a revival amid a more competitive landscape.
China players leave the pitch after their Group D defeat against England in Adelaide, Australia on Aug. 1, 2023. (Xinhua/Bai Xuefei)
In the wake of the Matildas capturing the nation's hearts, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised 200 million Australian dollars (128 million U.S. dollars) to improve women's sporting facilities and equipment.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the "greatest and biggest" World Cup in history has generated 570 million U.S. dollars, allowing it to "break even".
"This FIFA Women's World Cup has been truly transformational, not only in Australia and New Zealand but all over the world," he said.
"We need the governments, we need the institutions, to create dedicated spaces for women, and for women's sport and women's football."
"It's a great sport, it's entertaining and people love it." ■
