Despite Canada's unsavoury Women's World Cup exit, it was important to chronicle the journey

Penalties. A major storyline around this World Cup has been extra time and then dramatic penalty shootouts at every stage of the tournament.

The penalty shootout that saw co-hosts Australia advance to the semifinals was one of the most exciting and exhausting in recent memory. That particular shootout saw a most riveting rivalry between France and Australia go down to the wire.

If you missed it, the shootout had ten penalty kicks each (yes, ten), with the Matildas finally winning the contest 7-6. Cortnee Vine scored the winning penalty for the Matildas and thrust the co-hosts into the World Cup semifinals for the very first time.

As the crowds in Australia erupted in joy, it was delightful to see all the videos going viral of airplanes to fan zones to even a match at the storied Melbourne Cricket Ground putting the women's game first and cheering wildly.

I have been back from the tournament for a week and being here while following the action seems a little surreal. From being in a place where the women's game is centred and there are posters of Sam Kerr and the team everywhere to returning to Canada to disappointment is a little tough — not to mention the jet lag.

It feels a little deflating to be home. Although I am constantly excited by the matches and the players, I am dialled into any off-field drama and following the various discourses, but also the laughs.

In presser, Peter Gerhardsson hits us with this philosophical chestnut: "If you as a human being know everything it's not exciting, and that's why football is so exciting." Then he promptly tried to leave through a utility closet before realizing it was the wrong door. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFAWWC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAWWC</a>

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