The Matildas have often spoken about wanting to create their own ‘Cathy Freeman moment’.

In the space of four days, they did it twice – and left a legacy that will outlast the heartbreak.

The first was in Brisbane, when they beat France in the longest World Cup shootout in history to earn Australia a place in the semi finals for the first time ever.

Their stunning victory was the most viewed event on Australian television screens since Freeman claimed gold in the 400m in the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

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On Wednesday, it was talismanic captain Sam Kerr’s thunderous shot to level the scores against England and keep Australia’s dream of a World Cup final alive.

It didn’t lead to an Australian victory, but it was a moment of pure magic. It almost seemed like the football gods had scripted Kerr’s return from a calf injury for this exact second – for Kerr to strike a brilliant goal in the biggest game of her life, the biggest in Australian history.

Fittingly, it took place in Sydney’s Stadium Australia – the same venue where Freeman lit the Olympic Flame before carrying the hopes of a nation on her way to victory days later.

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For many of the Matildas, that iconic moment in Australia sporting history played a defining role in their sporting journeys. In a team survey conducted a couple of years ago, over half of the squad listed the Sydney 2000 Olympic champion as their sporting icon.

So when Freeman herself surprised the team with a visit to the Australian camp before the opening World Cup match against Ireland, it was a magical moment that lit a flame – so to speak – and took this special team to the next level.

“The most touching moment was probably before this all started when we actually got to meet Cathy and speak to her,” squad goalkeeper Lydia Williams said this week.

“A lot of us have stated that Cathy Freeman was our idol growing up. That was the big stage where a lot of us realised that we can represent our country,” Williams said.

Veteran defender Aivi Luik said the team was stunned when coach Tony Gustavsson surprised the team with a visit from the legend.

“We plodded all in there, sat down on our chairs and he mentioned that whilst these types of tournaments require a lot of tactics, it also requires a lot of belief and a lot of heart and so we were gonna take a little bit of a turn and do something a bit different’.

“It was a huge surprise to us. A lot of girls were very emotional.”

Freeman rarely speaks in public. But the proud Kuku Yalanji woman told the Aussies: “The power of you just being here is unimaginable. It’s beyond your wildest dreams what you’re going to be able to do.

“You’re going to be able to get into the blood of everybody who is on the journey with you. It’s just a crazy, wild ride.

“You’re writing your name in history, ladies. And you should be really proud of that.”

A week after Freeman’s visit, Matildas captain Sam Kerr said: “What she said to us and what she spoke to us about will stick with us forever.”

The Matildas have written their names into the history books with their dream run on home soil.

As vice-captain Steph Catley said after their heartbreaking defeat to England: “It’s been absolutely incredible. I can’t even put it into words to be honest. Sorry, I’m getting a little bit emotional now.

“Even coming to the ground and seeing thousands of people flocking into the stadiums, waving at the bus, you see the full pubs and people watching the game.

“What we’ve seen on social media and what we see in the crowd – you can just see that it’s changed the women’s game forever. And women’s sport in general, I think people are finally seeing it for what it is.”

Ellie Carpenter declared after the match: “When we started this tournament, we wanted to inspire the nation. I think we’ve done that and we’ve captured more Matildas than ever.”

Midfield superstar Katrina Gorry said: “I now truly believe we are a footballing country. I think every nation that’s been here, not just us, has felt it. I think everyone’s seen it. I think football in Australia is going to change forever now and I think that’s so special to be a part of.”

“They’ve changed the game forever,” said former Matilda Amy Duggan on Optus Sport after the full-time whistle.

“They’ve done us and themselves very very proud, and the sporting world in this country should be thankful.”

The growth of the women’s game around the world has caused a seismic shift for young football fans.

Brazil’s 37 year old Marta, the World Cup’s all-time top scorer who this tournament played in her sixth and final World Cup, was in tears during a press conference this month.

“You know what’s good? When I started there were no idols in women’s football,” she told reporters.

“How could there be if you didn’t show women’s football? How could I understand that I would reach the national team and become a reference point?

“Now I go out on the street and people stop me, parents say to me, ‘My daughter adores you, she wants to be just like you.’”

For Kerr and these Matildas, they had Freeman, not footballers.

For the next generation, it’s Kerr and Catley, Foord and Fowler, and all 23 of the Australians who lit up this tournament and changed the game.

As Freeman herself wrote after the match: “So incredibly proud of our girls! You gave it everything and inspired an entire nation! Hold your head up high and here’s to the future!”