National leaders and avid fans wrapped the Matildas with support after the team’s 3-1 loss to England, the hard-fought World Cup battle drawing another 9,000 plus South Australians to the city’s two fan sites at Festival Plaza and Memorial Drive.

Television viewing figures exploded as about a quarter of the state’s population tuned into the game – more than double the numbers that watched the AFL grand final last year – with big numbers again expected on the weekend as the national team plays for bronze.

Channel Seven announced the game reached an extraordinary 7.13 million Australians nationally, making it the most-watched television program since OzTAM measurement system started in 2001.

The numbers of supporters are way higher as OzTAM does not capture out-of-home viewing at pubs, clubs, the more than 75,000 fans that packed the Sydney stadium or viewers on Optus Plus.

“You have captured the hearts of our nation, blazed a trail for future generations, shifted attitudes, changed football, sport and what girls know they can do, forever,” South Australia’s Recreation, Sport and Racing Minister Katrine Hildyard said after the game.

England’s Lionesses landed the first goal of the match but when Matildas’ famed striker Sam Kerr hit the back of the net in the 63rd minute, Australian supporters erupted with joy.

Their delight was short lived as the England team went on to qualify for Sunday’s grand final with two late goals that secured them the win.

The Matildas have drawn an unprecedented swell of national support as they battled their way through the World Cup ranks and valiantly beat powerhouse France last week in a nail-biting penalty shoot-out, winning 7 to 6.

Adelaide fans cheered on the Matildas at the Festival Plaza site in the city last night. Photo: South Australian Tourism Commission

England now faces Spain in the final to be played on Sunday – while the Matildas play Sweden for bronze in Brisbane.

Matildas skipper Kerr and vice-captain Steph Catley paid tribute to their team and supporters, but also said the time is now ripe for a fair share of national sports funding to capitalise on the team’s golden run.

Despite soccer being a huge participation sport in Australia, it has struggled to win funding like Australian Rules Football. Kerr said after the game that she hoped “this tournament changes that” and the amount of funding for soccer compared to other sports “isn’t really good enough”.

This week the Malinauskas Government ruled out a public holiday if the Matildas had gone on to win the World Cup final, but announced new funding of $18 million over the next three years for dedicated female sporting facilities and improvements to grow female participation, with $10 million quarantined for soccer.

In its State Budget this year, the government committed $18 million over four years to support the Adelaide 500 car racing event, including additional one-off funding of $3.5 million for more grandstand shading.

South Australia’s Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison, who is responsible for state events, said FIFA Fan Festival at Festival Plaza was at capacity last night and thousands spilled over to the Live Site at The Drive, with the atmosphere “electrifying”.

“Last night’s game was a historical moment for all Australians who watched our Matildas’ monumental effort as they took on England,” she said, paying tribute to the success of Adelaide being one of nine host cities for the FIFA Women’s World Cup matches, a “once in a generation opportunity”.

“We couldn’t be prouder of the amazing efforts of our Matildas who fought until the final whistle and are already inspiring our younger generation of girls to take up football,” Bettison said.

“The appetite for soccer in South Australia has never been so high. Football SA expects girls and women’s participation to grow by 33 per cent over the next three years on the back of the Women’s World Cup and the Matildas’ efforts.”

Fans gathered at Adelaide’s Women’s World Cup fan sites last night. Photo: South Australian Tourism Commission

Anthony Albanese praised the team as “an absolute inspiration”.

“You’ve shown incredible skill, ferocity and flair, and a camaraderie that defines what it means to play team sport,” he posted on Instagram.

Cheering on the Matildas at the Adelaide fan sites last night. Photo: South Australian Tourism Commission

Others paid tribute as Australians watched from fan sites across the country and filled bars in England, with locals posting as they watched the game from bars in Bali.

Adelaide resident Jo Robinson was in a New Orleans bar at 5am to support the Matildas.

“It is just the beginning for the Matildas and women’s sport in general. Much respect to all who have played just as hard in the past without recognition – you’re the reason the country has had their eyes opened to brilliance of women’s sport,” she posted.

The Matildas Instagram account now has more than 600,000 followers, and Matildas’ skipper Sam Kerr’s Facebook site more than 450,000, with retailers saying merchandise sales for the Matildas had now well eclipsed the nation’s men’s soccer team.

“A devastating result for the Matildas tonight but you have made Australia so proud. You played some great football and along the way you have changed the country,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong said.

Adelaide fans at the Memorial Drive fan site last night. Photo: South Australian Tourism Commission

Cheering on the Matildas in Adelaide. Photo: South Australian Tourism Commission

Adelaide fans supporting the Matildas last night. Photo: South Australian Tourism Commission

Tension shows on the faces of Adelaide fans watching the Matildas semi final last night. Photo: South Australian Tourism Commission

Matildas fans gathered in the city to watch the semi final last night. Photo: South Australian Tourism Commission