Charlotte Grant's journey from being an afterthought in Swedish football to the goalscoring hero in Australia's landmark win over England stands as a symbol of the new-look Matildas.
That's the view of coach Tony Gustavsson, who sees the breakthrough of the 21-year-old from Adelaide as a shining example of the sort of battling character that runs through his ever-improving team with the World Cup looming.
And while Grant savours the prospect of being part of a "really great team that wants to make the nation proud", Gustavsson is convinced that, like other rising Matildas, she will be on the radar of Europe's top clubs after her latest display.
"Look at Charli Grant's journey. She had zero caps when I came on board," said Gustavsson, charting the rise of the former Adelaide United defender who, after a dream move to Scandinavia, has had struggles in the Swedish game where she's now on loan at Vittsjo GIK.
"Since day one, when she struggled a bit at international football, which is natural because the tempo is much higher than she's used to, she's shown the right mindset and really represents a lot of things in this team - the grit.
"She was put in the stands in (Swedish club) Rosengard, not even in their game day roster, and then gets loaned out to Vittsjo, yet look at what she does now against England away - that grit and commitment, to always get one day better.
"I'm so happy for her - and she represents a lot of what this team stands for."
Grant defended stoically in the pouring rain on Tuesday but her crowning moment came when she headed home Australia's decisive second goal in the 2-0 victory, via a wicked deflection off England captain Leah Williamson.
"That was the first time I've scored for the national team, very excited. I just put my head on it and hoped for the best, and I'm just glad it went into the back of the net - but I'll claim it," she laughed.
Looking forward to the World Cup, she added: "I think it's going to be really special - we're going to put out a high-pressing, attacking game, and we're just looking to make the nation proud."
Gustavsson believes the work of coaches at Australian clubs has helped foster adventurous younger talent like Grant, who came through the South Australian state football system.
"Some of those players have really flown, and some of the big clubs over here in Europe are now scouting and head-hunting them," he said.
"A coach friend said to me, 'hey, there's a lot of diamonds there - rough diamonds that we can get into the big clubs'.
"After this, some of those players are going to get approached from some of the bigger clubs."
