Sam Kerr, the world’s best female footballer, has added another starring performance to a resume that is rapidly catapulting her into super-stardom.
Kerr led the Matildas to a 3-2 victory over the game’s spiritual nation, Brazil, in the latest showing of Australia’s growing international dominance in the world game.
The 24-year-old from Fremantle scored two goals, one capped off by her trademark backflip celebration, en-route to a second victory over their big name opponents in less than a week and third-consecutive overall.
The game was marred by a total lack of respect and sportsmanship from the Brazilians following the game as they refused to shake hands with their opposition who are making a habit of beating them.
Sam Kerr has led the Matildas to a 3-2 victory over the game’s spiritual nation, Brazil, in the latest showing of Australia’s growing international dominance in the world game
The 24-year-old from Fremantle scored two goals, one capped off by her trademark backflip celebration, en-route to a second victory over their big name opponents in less than a week
The game was slightly overshadowed by a brutal final 20 minutes of the game, that saw strong challenges, rough fouls and a penalty awarded
The Matildas went behind after just 55 seconds in Newcastle on Monday night when Brazilian legend Marta tore apart the Australian defence and set up Fabiana to break the deadlock.
They then sat back and parked the bus in an attempt to protect their lead, a move unfamiliar to the Brazilian footballing style, which played directly into the hands of Australia and their lightning fast superstar Kerr.
The front-runner for FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year equalised off a set piece with a header of the highest class, chipping the goalkeeper from near the edge of the box.
She then showed she is much more than just a goal scorer, playing a stunning ball in behind the defence which led to a Caitlin Foord goal and handed the Matildas the lead.
Chloe Logarzo then combined brilliantly with Emily van Egmond who found a flying Sam Kerr at the near post to finish cooly and give Australia an insurmountable lead.
The 24-year-old then celebrated the only way she knows how, her trademark backflip, which now surely has surpassed Tim Cahill’s corner flag punch as Australia’s most famous. It is not recommended kids in the park try this one though.
Kerr then showed she is much more than just a goal scorer, playing a stunning ball in behind the defence which led to a Caitlin Foord goal and handed the Matildas the lead
Predictably, and fairly, the post-match press conference was all about Kerr, as coach Alen Stajcic heaped praise upon his star player.
‘She’s just flying, isn’t she? Her first goal was phenomenal,’ Stajcic said.
‘She is just so dangerous in attack and is so hard to control. She does so much work in her movement on and off the ball.’
He labelled Kerr the ‘best reader of a game in women’s football’ and believes she deserves the award as the sport’s finest player.
‘To have someone like her on the team really gives a boost.’
Chloe Logarzo then combined brilliantly with Emily van Egmond who found a flying Sam Kerr at the near post to finish cooly and give Australia an insurmountable lead
The game was slightly overshadowed by a brutal final 20 minutes of the game, that saw strong challenges, rough fouls and a penalty awarded.
Upon the final whistle, the Brazilian players marched directly off the pitch, refusing to shake hands with Kerr and the rest of the team.
Several Matildas players could be seen yelling at their bigger name opponents and grabbed at their arms as they showed a total lack of respect and sportsmanship for their opponents who completely outplayed them for the third time in a row.