Matildas mania sweeps Australia ahead of England semi-final

Matildas fever has taken hold across the country as they prepare for the World Cup semi-final against England on Wednesday .

The team's success on-field is part of the story, but their grit in the face of adversity is what captures hearts and minds, says football journalist Samantha Lewis .

Australia has always been sports obsessed, but when it comes to football, no national squad has ever made it this far on the world stage.

Ms Wilson says she feels included in the world for the first time.

"Watching these women on screen I'm like: 'Oh my God, I want to be that strong,'" she says.

"I literally went out [on Sunday ] and bought myself a newspaper, just so I could have [the Matildas] photo on the frontâ crazy.".