Defining World Cup moment on the line as Matildas look to make history

The Matildas celebrate Steph Catley’s goal during the Women’s World Cup football match between the Australia and Ireland Photograph: Steven Markham/Speed Media/Shutterstock

Here we go again. For the third match in a row, the Matildas face a do-or-die moment. Win and the dream stays alive, lose and it is all over.

Such is the nature of the World Cup, these beguiling moments every four years that take fans, entire nations even, from the depths of despair to the highest heights of ecstasy. Everything turns on these 90, 120 or more minutes on Saturday afternoon. The hopes and dreams of Australia on the shoulders of 23 women.