The emotional story behind Ellie Carpenter's heartwarming hug

The Matildas have been praised for their sportsmanship after their victory over Denmark, with one player in particular paying back the support she had been shown in her darkest hour.

While Australian football supporters partied long into the night, it was a shattering loss for Denmark who had waited 16 long years to return to the World Cup finals only to be eliminated with the quarters within reach.

One of the players feeling every bit of the emotional sting was Real Madrid striker Signe Bruun - which is why Australian defender Ellie Carpenter made a beeline for her when the fulltime whistle sounded.

Bruun and Carpenter both played for Olympique Lyonnais in the French first division when tragedy struck the Matildas star.

She was cut down with an ACL tear in the Champion's League final in 2022, putting her immediate playing future in doubt.

Bruun was one of the Lyon players who offered the most support for the stricken Matilda, including a social media post featuring images of Carpenter and the caption: 'This one is going to be back stronger than ever, so proud of you.'

Carpenter was quick to repay that support, hugging and consoling her former teammate before they swapped jerseys and had a long chat in the Stadium Australia players race.

Matildas fans were quick to praise Carpenter for putting her own celebrations aside to be there for Bruun.

'So lovely Ellie to look out for your friend,' one posted.

'Ellie's a class act, no doubt,' another Matildas fan said.

'What a true sportsperson love and respect to you Ellie,' added another.

Carpenter was not the only Matilda to show grace and sportsmanship in victory, with several players consoling the Denmark players whose World Cup dreams for 2023 were gone.

Hayley Raso, who scored the