I watched the Matildas play with my Dad - who taught me to play; and I'm overwhelmed.

I've got 26 unread messages from friends (from across the globe) since the Matildas lost tonight. I know what they'll say - because they're from people who know how much I love the game.

To be clear, I'm not a 'superfan' but I'm a lover of the technical skills, the teamwork and the ability sport has to bring people together.

Which is why I'm so overwhelmed tonight. To say I'm not an emotional human wouldn't be true - but other than loud cheers and the odd 'you've gotta be kidding ref!' I'm not someone to overthink a sporting match. The FIFA Women's World Cup has been different, and not just for me.

I'm a millennial. And (I'd argue) like most female millennials in Australia - you were encouraged to play netball. It was the woman's sport. I played it in PE in school, but to this day the only two rules I can remember are that there are only two positions who are allowed to shoot goals, and if you have the ball one foot must always be on the ground (you can't step). I could even be wrong about these. (SORRY!). It just wasn't my sport. But a shout out to our Netball team The Diamonds (and the only sport in which the players are inherently female), as they do - however poorly - get paid; and are the reigning world champions.

For me, it was football. Soccer. I played all through school and it was the only thing I liked about winter. I never had a female coach. I never thought of it as something that would ever be more than a weekend sport.

Australia didn't have a football (soccer) league until the A-league was formed in 2004 - we all got tickets to go through our local clubs. I still remember going to the first Central Coast Mariners' match against Perth Glory; and I'd been lucky to go to EPL matches in England. My teenage eyes couldn't believe I was seeing this on home soil. But it was only for men. By the time the women's league was established a few years later I'd moved on.

This brings me to the FIFA World Cup. Yes, I omitted 'womens.' Not just because they've played better than the mens, but because I'm sick of the qualifier. Teens who grew up like me didn't really know they could be Matildas, or play AFL for Essendon, or Rugby for the Broncos. If we could there was certainly not a living to be made from it so we were discouraged - or rather encouraged to get a "real career". If you were male and pursuing this - it was ok because the investment was 'worth it.' Double standards aside - we see it in the Matilda's as we do with the Nigerian team, the Swedish team or even the English team. The women's Football teams are filled with cancer researchers, doctors, accountants and baristas. Not in "past lives" but to pay their day-to-day bills. A recent report conducted by FIFpro found that 66% of the players representing their nation in Australia and New Zealand have had to take unpaid leave or paid holiday from another workplace in order to compete in the tournament.

The relatability of the Matilda's hold's its place too. I've known many Sam Kerrs who had no female league to move into when they loved AFL. I've been Gorry and fallen out of love with football - only to fall back in love with it. I feel Arnold in her moment of being the offence; (whilst almost simultaneously) being the defence.

Many a football fan will say to me that it's not that different to to male players. But it's not the same. Because we're not male. Because the pay doesn't equate. Because we're not seen as equally skilled on the field.

But I digress. What was different about tonight?

It was better than 'the race that stops a nation.' I was with my dad, in a pub, surrounded by (mostly) men - cheering on the Matildas. If I'm honest with myself (sporting nation or not) I don't think I ever thought I'd see the day. I felt adrenaline from the excitement and anticipation; and was equally overwhelmed by waves of nauseousness at bad passes, terrible tackles and English goals. It wasn't just about a game of football.

It's about how brilliant it has been to witness Australia get behind women's sport. It's been amazing for see so many people change their perspective on women's sport. On bringing new meaning to #playlikeagirl. It's the legacy that I hope that this will truely leave.

But ultimately, it's been about my Dad - who is 100% a feminist - really understanding what I've been missing.

Go the Tillies. See you Saturday. Bloody proud of you. #TilItsDone