Matildas' loss: Twitter reacts

The Australians stared down their opponents and a raucous parochial crowd at Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte, to take the home side to the brink.

Not one for sour grapes but the keeper ran so far off her line she practically entered a diff time zone. #Matildas pic.twitter.com/TA4tdJ5wlf

— Julian Schiller (@Julesschiller) August 13, 2016

Great penalty kick by @11heyman.#ReadMyNumber #Youwillknowmyname @ConcaveFootball @GEllison2015 pic.twitter.com/15xGNniLlw

— David Morales (@dmoralesc20) August 13, 2016

But their hopes of progressing to the semi-finals and winning a medal were dashed in a tense penalty shootout.

While the players were shattered, fans took to Twitter to praise the team for a typically gutsy and professional performance.

No words right now. So close, so near. Thanks for the support back home and around the world. Better days to come. pic.twitter.com/uJ6suArqTO

— Lisa De Vanna (@lisadevanna11) August 13, 2016

Hold ur heads up high #AUS! #Matildas did #Asia #AsianFootball proud!#Australia @TheMatildas #Rio2016 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/ISJBupygmb

— The-AFC.com (@theafcdotcom) August 13, 2016

There's too many emotions going on right now, just thank you everyone for the support. These girls are family, it's been an honour 💛💚🇦🇺⚽️

— Lydia Williams (@lydsaussie) August 13, 2016

Shattered. Such a shit way to go. Proud of everyone tonight, we gave it everything. Thanks for all the support 💚💛

— Caitlin Foord (@CaitlinFoord) August 13, 2016

 

No words can describe the devastation and hurt felt after tonight's result. Our campaign has come to an end, but proud to call this team my family. Thank you for everyone's support from back home who came along on this journey with us, we will be back bigger and stronger next time round #OneTeam #Aus #Family #Thankyou 💚💛

A photo posted by Kyah Simon (@kyahsimon) on Aug 12, 2016 at 11:09pm PDT

Absolutely shattered to have our Olympic campaign end like that. It's hard to put into words how proud I am to share the field with these warriors, and how lucky I am to have them as sisters. This is just the beginning 🇦🇺 #neversaydie #proud #family

A photo posted by Stephanie Catley (@stephcatley) on Aug 12, 2016 at 10:45pm PDT

Devastated. But always proud & honoured to represent my country. We will grow & we will be better.
Until next time.. #AUS

— Sam Kerr (@samkerr1) August 13, 2016

 

It's hurts, but we win together and we lose together. I am so proud to wear the Australian jersey and privileged to share the field with these strong women. What doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger. #oneteam #family

A photo posted by alannakennedy (@alannakennedy) on Aug 12, 2016 at 11:36pm PDT

No words can describe this feeling 💔 A huge thank you to everyone that supported us through this incredible journey 🇦🇺 Incredibly proud of everyones efforts tonight , we really did fight till the end but unfortunately tonight wasn't our night #oneteam #fighters #neversaydie #thisteam #sadbutproudpandas

A photo posted by Katrina Gorry (@katrinagorry10) on Aug 12, 2016 at 10:34pm PDT

No words. Just proud and honoured to stand beside these amazing footballers

A photo posted by Clare Polkinghorne (@polks89) on Aug 12, 2016 at 9:45pm PDT

2 years of preparation and sacrifice, and fate gets decided by a penalty shootout. Great effort Staj & @TheMatildas 😢

— Spencer Prior (@spencerprior) August 13, 2016

To see @TheMatildas take Host's Brazil to penalties and be absolutely gutted to lose,shows how far Woman's Football in Australia has come 👍🏼

— Ryan McGowan (@rmcgowan89) August 13, 2016

Head up @TheMatildas you have done everyone proud back here in Aus!

— Daniel Mullen (@danielmullen7) August 13, 2016

Bursting with soooo much pride, possibility is endless for this team. Gutted.

— Sarah Walsh (@swalshy9) August 13, 2016

I'm so heart broken for these girls.
💔 but so so proud ✊🏼 I love you. Be strong. Please xx

— Melissa Barbieri (@Bubs_11) August 13, 2016

Hope the Olympics stage just showed non football fans how damn good @TheMatildas are on world stage. And how talented these girls are

— David Weiner (@davidweiner9) August 13, 2016

The spirit of the #Olympics. #BRAvAUS #football #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/aXxetzqobM

— Ann Odong (@AnnOdong) August 13, 2016