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Heartbreaking moment Matilda Lydia Williams cries alone after losing to Sweden – as the team’s oldest star prepares to retire from the game
Williams sat alone in a six-yard box after the final whistle
The goalkeeper has been capped at five World Cups
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Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams had an emotional moment after Australia’s historic Women’s World Cup run ended with Saturday night’s 2-0 loss to Sweden.
Williams, who is the oldest Matilda with an 18-year career, made history alongside teammate Clare Polkinghorne as the first Australian to be capped in five World Cups.
Everything seemed to sink in for the 35-year-old after a tired and exhausted Matildas side lost their battle to Sweden for third-place honors in their home World Cup.
The veteran keeper was spotted long after the final whistle, sitting alone in the penalty area, enjoying the lights of a World Cup for the last time.
Football fans who had remained at the Brisbane stadium after the game noticed the emotional moment and also noted that it was Williams’ understudy Mackenzie Arnold who was the first to console her.
Lydia Williams had an emotional moment after Australia’s historic Women’s World Cup run ended with a 2-0 loss to Sweden.
Williams, 35, was consoled by fellow goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold after the defeat
“Lydia Williams sitting in goal crying after her last World Cup is the end for me,” one Matildas fan tweeted.
“I’m so happy that she was able to finish a World Cup at home seeing crowds like this. It is both uplifting and heartbreaking. Amazing photo,” another replied.
“It’s so heartbreaking, I have no words,” commented a third.
The keeper began her national team career with her first call-up to camp at just 15 years old.
In July 2005, she earned her first cap in her debut match against Korea Republic.
Since then, Williams has earned 102 international caps for the Matildas spanning four World Cups, two Olympics and six Asian Cups.
Williams never imagined she would be playing in a World Cup for Australia in Australia.
“It’s pretty crazy to be honest,” Williams told reporters before the tournament.
“I never thought we (Australia) would have a home World Cup, let alone go to five (myself), which is pretty crazy when you think about it.
“I feel really excited, honored and blessed to have this opportunity.”
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson spoke after the game about the team’s remarkable run in the tournament that captured the hearts of the nation.
“It’s a tough time to find the right words, to be honest,” he said of his last squad group with the players.
“I said I knew we were hurt. We wanted to bring home a medal for this team, for these fans, families, friends, for this country.
“It’s the second big tournament now that we’ve been playing for a medal and we’re missing something.
“But I also said that maybe we won something bigger than a medal in this tournament.
“It’s a tough moment to talk about it now, but when we step away from this game and look at the whole tournament, I think we may have won something bigger than a medal. “