Sports photos of 2023: The 'ground shaking' Matildas moment that was 'better than Usain Bolt'

Getty Images are one of the biggest sources of editorial photographs in the world, and many of the images published by Wide World of Sports are captured by Getty photographers.

From the Matildas to Glenn Maxwell, the NRL to netball.

This is their selection of the best sporting moments of 2023.

Sports photographer Quinn Rooney has photographed some huge sporting moments – Melbourne Cups, AFL grand finals, F1 grands prix.

He was even in the stadium shooting Usain Bolt's final 100m gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

But the crowning moment of his two-decade (and counting) career was capturing this moment of the Matildas' World Cup quarter-final victory over France.

"I thought (Bolt) would stay with me as the peak of being at a sporting event," he told Wide World of Sports.

"But for that penalty shootout, I literally had to pinch myself to say I was there witnessing what was happening. 

"The atmosphere was just incredible, and to be on home soil … at the end I couldn't hear my camera taking pictures.

"It literally felt like the ground was shaking."

This shot – taken as Matildas keeper Mackenzie Arnold got a fingertip to Ève Périsset's penalty and deflected it into the post – won him Nikon's Sport Photo of the Year.

"It's a great shot … you sort of read across all the different faces and all their expressions," he said.

"But for me it sums up the whole emotion and the ride Australia went on with the Matildas."

Rooney is one of the dozens of Getty photographers who work tirelessly to capture the best moments across all sports around the world.

Photo by Quinn Rooney

Brisbane Lions forward Dakota Davidson lifts the trophy after winning the AFLW grand final against the Kangaroos at Ikon Park.

Photo by Quinn Rooney

Isabel Dawes leaped into Dakota Davidson's arms after the latter kicked a crucial goal in the AFLW grand final.

Photo by Quinn Rooney

Rooney used remote cameras underneath and inside the railing to capture this shot of Mark Zahra winning the Melbourne Cup on Without A Fight.

Photo by Quinn Rooney

Aquatics is a personal favourite of Rooney to photograph.

This is Sascha Jones competing in the women's 50m backstroke during trials for the World Swimming Championships in Melbourne in June.

Photo by Quinn Rooney

Rooney travelled to Fukuoka to shoot the World Aquatics Championships, and captured this moment of Aussie Sam Short winning gold in the men's 400m freestyle.

Photo by Quinn Rooney

Aryna Sabalenka won her maiden grand slam at the Australian Open, downing Elena Rybakina in the final.

This is the moment Sabalenka collapsed in celebration on Rod Laver Arena.

Photo by Quinn Rooney

Tennis is a popular sport for photographers to exploit sunlight and deep shadows within a stadium to create spectacular images.

This is Coco Gauff serving during her third round match against Bernarda Pera at the Australian Open.

Photo by Darrian Traynor

Novak Djokovic is the undisputed king of the Australian Open. He won his 10th crown at Melbourne Park in January after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final.

Photo by Lintao Zhang

Spain won the FIFA Women's World Cup, defeating England in the final.

This is Alexia Putellas, Jennifer Hermoso and Irene Paredes during the presentation ceremony.

Photo by Cameron Spencer

This shot of the Matildas after their 3-1 loss to England in the semi-final went around the world.

The Tillies captured the hearts of the nation in their giant-killing run.

Photo by Robert Cianflone

Sam Kerr's incredible strike in the semi-final was arguably the goal of the tournament.

Using a remote camera next to the goal, Cameron Spencer captured this moment the ball sailed past England 'keeper Mary Earps.

Photo by Cameron Spencer

Sam Kerr did everything she could to lift the Matildas into the World Cup final.

Unfortunately, it wasn't to be. They fell one game short.

Photo by Maddie Meyer

After the formalities were complete following the World Cup final, the Spanish players did a lap of honour around Stadium Australia.

This is Misa Rodriguez and Laia Codina peering through a hole in the net.

Photo by Robert Cianflone

For most athletes, winning a World Cup is the culmination of a lifetime of hard work and sacrifice.

Look at the emotion on the faces of the Spanish players in the moments after the full-time whistle in the final against England.

Photo by Cameron Spencer

The Matildas' victory against Canada is where they announced themselves as a genuine threat at the World Cup.

This is Steph Catley celebrating with her teammates after scoring their fourth goal.

Photo by Cameron Spencer

Megan Rapinoe's miss in the penalty shootout at the end of the USA's round of 16 clash against Sweden was her final act in what was a stellar career for the US team.

Photo by Robert Cianflone

Sydney FC's Madison Haley, Rachel Lowe and Charlize Rule celebrating after they beat Western Sydney United in the A-League Women's grand final in April.

Photo by Cameron Spencer

Australia has probably never followed the Premier League so closely since Ange Postecoglou took over as manager of Tottenham.

This is him fist-pumping after the Spurs twice came back from a goal down to draw 2-2 against Arsenal in September. 

Photo by Ryan Pierse

Oscar Piastri was sensational in his rookie F1 season.

This is him during qualifying for the sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix, which he would win.

He would finish second in the grand prix on Sunday - his best finish all season.

Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli