Now, in a scripted message to the Australian women's soccer team ahead of the quarter-final match against Japan on Sunday morning, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has entered the sporting blunder history books for a second time.

"Matildas, all of Australia is cheering you (for) success in the quarter-finals," he said.

"Your success so far in this World Cup has been remarkable.

"Australia has never made a World Cup football quarter-final before."

In fact, the Matildas made it to the quarter-finals in the previous two World Cups where they were defeated by Sweden 3-1 in 2011, and Brazil 3-2 in 2007.