On the eve of your do-or-die round of 16 clash against Brazil, I found myself experiencing a range of emotions from the moment I woke up and started my day.
Nervousness, excitement, anxiety and adrenaline were just some of the things that coursed through my veins in anticipation of what would potentially be a history defining moment for women's football in Australia.
At 11pm Australian time, and with the temperature sitting at a modest 9 degrees, I got into my car ready to make the journey to the SBS studios to prepare for the morning ahead.
For the second consecutive year, I have basked in the sheer joy and honour of covering a FIFA World Cup, a responsibility I have never taken lightly.
In 2014 it was Brazil and now in 2015 we are right in the midst of covering the women's tournament in Canada, which has been fabulous to watch.
As Sally Shipard and Joey Peters arrived into the green room just after 1am, there was a sense of optimism and an undeniable buzz ahead of the match.
Bounding into the studio with copious amounts of caffeine and nervous energy, we sat and watched with awe as you proved why you deserve to be considered one of the best teams in the world.
In the first half you held your own, go toe-to-toe with the world's best and play a brand of football that both thrilled and entertained - something we've seen a lot of over the last few weeks.
Come the second half there was a collective belief from all of us on the panel that you had the edge and that Brazil would have to rise to the occasion if they were going to be in with a chance.
Then, it happened.
Just as Katrina Gorry threaded that long ball through to Lisa De Vanna, the quiet chatter in the studio erupted into full-fledged shouting and cheering.
As Kyah Simon caught the defection and drove it into the back of the net we all jumped out of our seats in ecstasy.
She's done it again!! @KyahSimon!! #Bra 0-1 @TheMatildas. WATCH LIVE on SBS http://t.co/CoB4QeF3us #SBSTWG #FIFAWWC http://t.co/2FIux2uWMf — SBS - The World Game (@TheWorldGame) June 21, 2015
Joey began doing the rounds and dishing out high-fives to the crew on the floor, Sally was jumping up and down and I couldn't stop screaming.
Once the full-time whistle blew, we had to be told by the floor manager to sit down because we jumped right out of seats all over again.
For the first time in my professional capacity, I became completely immersed in the moment and forgot that we were on air!
Joey could barely string a sentence together, Sal's contagious laughter rang out across our post-match analysis and I had to clear my throat on more than one occasion.
As I write this, a smile has emerged on my face and I won't deny it, the tears are beginning to well.
Not only did you defeat the most successful women's national team in South America, six-time Copa America champion and world number seven Brazil, but you wrote a new chapter in the history books by becoming the first senior Australian national football team to win a knockout match - ever.
I want you all to know how proud we are of you. We have fallen even more in love with a national team that has always been more than deserving of our affections, ever since your inception in 1974.
You are an inspiration, a testament to what it means to dedicate your life to your dreams and never let it defeat you, even in the face of adversity.
While I am sure there have been times that you have felt abandoned, neglected, judged or unfairly compared to the men's team, just know this - what you have achieved will never be taken away from you and will be referenced right throughout the ages.
I can only hope that one day I am blessed enough to have a daughter of my own to tell her about the success of those who have gone before her and paved the way for future generations of women.
I won't lie, at times I have been left feeling frustrated and even angry about the state of the women's game and even questioned my own role as a woman in sport.
Today though, those thoughts were silenced because you are more than football players, you are role models and a divine example of strong, powerful and confident women - everything I would ever hope my little girl to be.
This morning, you gave me hope that the future of women's football in Australia can, and will be a bright one and for that, I am eternally grateful.
What I have loved about working with former Matildas legends in Joey and Sally is their unrivalled passion and enthusiasm for the game.
Their views, reactions and attitudes towards football are raw, unfiltered and infectious. What you see is what you get and I have thoroughly enjoyed forging a bond with these incredible women that many of you know all-too well.
Together with them, you represent an era of Australian women's football that has fought tirelessly to give women the right to be recognised as world-class athletes as ferocious competitors on the main stage.
So, after spending the better part of the morning sleeping and recovering from the early start, I finally emerged from my apartment to grab a coffee from our local cafe.
As I was crossing the street, the owner of the convenience store came rushing over to me. 'Lucy, Lucy, we did it, we won!' He said, narrowly avoiding oncoming traffic and wearing a grin from ear-to-ear. He is traditionally a staunch rugby league supporter but today, he was a man proud to be Australian - thanks to you.
As I scuttled further down the road, a car with Matildas paraphernalia emblazoned on it came careening around the corner, tooting its horn aggressively.
'Go Matildas!' Shouted the young boys from the windows of the backseat.
'Bloody brilliant', I said to myself laughing. Perhaps the bright future of women's football that I spoke of isn't as far off as I first thought.
To the entire team, coach Alen Stajcic and his group of loyal and dedicated assistants and staff members - what you did in Moncton was more than just play a simple football match.
You inspired a nation to rejoice with you, to believe in you and to remember you, forever.
Go Matildas!
All my love,
Lucy Zelic
