Many Australians awoke bleary eyed in the wee hours of Monday morning hoping to witness a piece of history. The Matildas made that early wake up worth while, becoming our first senior national team to win a game in the knockout stages of a World Cup.

The world took notice of Alen Stajcic's side after it progressed through the "group of death". The Matildas have gained many new fans due to their structural dominance and lightning-fast counter-attacks. On Monday morning they knocked out a heavily favoured Brazilian side featuring the best female player in the world. Marta was outshone by 20-year-old Caitlin Foord, who obviously learnt plenty from her last meeting against Brazil four years ago as a high school student.

The Matildas frustrated A Seleção, refusing to let them play the quick, stylistic football Brazilian sides are notable for. The Matildas' dominance in the midfield through Elise Kellond-Knight, Emily Van Egmond and Tameka Butt helped the Australians control the tempo of the game. This was complemented by their strength out wide through the pace of Foord, Stephanie Catley, Sam Kerr and captain Lisa De Vanna. The breakthrough came ten minutes from time when substitute and Asia player of the year Katrina Gorry split the Brazilian defence open, putting De Vanna through on goal, where her rebounded effort was tucked home by substitute Kyah Simon.

The Matildas now have the luxury of watching reigning world champions and Asia rivals Japan square-off against the Netherlands, with the victor to face the Aussie girls this Sunday morning 6am (AEST) from Edmonton, Canada for a place in the semi-finals.

If you haven't already, it's time to stand up and support the Matildas in the same way the nation gets behind the Socceroos throughout their World Cup and Asian Cup campaigns. These girls have already created history and have every chance of creating a lot more. Check out all the action from this historic moment for Australian football in our gallery above.