The decision has been a very long time coming for the Matildas, who only 20 years ago felt the need to produce a naked calendar in order to fund their own Sydney Olympic campaign and less than five years ago were forced to strike for increased pay.

But the reaction was swift and global, encompassing the world's largest news organisations and some of female sport's greatest ever athletes.

Australia’s women’s & men’s national soccer teams will earn the same pay as part of a history-making new pay structure. And all commercial revenues associated w/both teams will be split evenly. #EqualPay is possible! Looking forward to following the story. https://t.co/YtjL3L0vW5 — Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) November 5, 2019

This is history.



Equal pay still remains out of reach for elite women athletes across most sports.



The Matildas have been campaigning for equal pay for years and I'm glad their efforts are finally paying off under this world-first deal 🙌#genderpaygaphttps://t.co/Q9lHpTkuWG — Jackie Trad (@jackietrad) November 5, 2019

The Socceroos and Matildas will each receive 24% of revenues generated in 2019-20, an amount set to increase by 1% annually over the four-year contract term.https://t.co/4BeK91sAf6 — New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) November 6, 2019

Congratulations to #Australia's women's football team⚽️, the Matildas, which have secured a historic deal on #EqualPay!👏👏



Top male and female players will now be on the same pay scale! ♀️♂️@unionsaustralia @uniglobalunion @SportandRights https://t.co/8FCpBxX07b — ITUC (@ituc) November 6, 2019

This is how things work when people are respected and rewarded equally for their roles. Women’s sport is about more than the results on the pitch. The ripple effect spreads around the world and can help change things for everyone. #EqualPay #WomeninSport https://t.co/kxJhwMZ994 — Clare Balding (@clarebalding) November 5, 2019

Australia has become the third country to pay its national male and female footballers equally. Will this historic decision pave the way for #EqualPay in football worldwide? https://t.co/br1FaplqC5 — BBC World Service (@bbcworldservice) November 7, 2019

So the train that we started is leaving the station all around the world except here at home. Come on @ussoccer, the time is now!



🚊 💰 🌎 ⚽️ 🏃‍♀️#EqualPay #EqualityCantWait #EqualPlayEqualPay https://t.co/OHevziL9ck — Hope Solo (@hopesolo) November 6, 2019