Sam Kerr has not been afraid to talk the talk, telling the Matildas' "haters" to "suck on that one" after the team's sensational comeback victory over Brazil at the Women's World Cup in France. She is well and truly walking the walk.
Kerr's four-goal haul against Jamaica etched her name into not only Women's World Cup history but Australian sporting folklore. It's an achievement that may never be bettered. And she's still only 25.
One of a kind: Sam Kerr's four-goal haul is unlikely to ever be bettered by an Australian at a World Cup.Credit:PA
Prior to the 4-1 triumph against the 'Reggae Girlz' in Grenoble, no Australian player – male or female – had scored more than two goals in a World Cup game. Like she's done over the last couple of years, for both club and country, Kerr completely obliterated that record with consummate ease.
It's no secret to rusted-on football fans who have watched Kerr routinely carve up for the Matildas, Perth Glory in the W-League and for the Chicago Red Stars in the US National Women's Soccer League. But now mainstream Australia is waking up to it – Kerr is truly a once-in-a-generation superstar, powering her country to success on the grandest stage available.
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She is now one of just 10 players to have scored four or more goals in a single World Cup match. It's esteemed company that not even the likes of Pele, Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo sit in.
Only three of those 10 players are women – Americans Michelle Akers and Alex Morgan, and now Kerr.
"Any time I score it feels good," Kerr said. "The most important thing is the victory and we got second place [in the group]. And I actually wanted more than that … being my selfish self. I knew every goal would count and Im just happy we could get that second spot. I'm obviously pretty excited I could score and help the team out. I feel relieved."
The goals themselves were not particularly highlight-reel material. One of them was an absolute gift from a Jamaican defender, whose heavy first touch inadvertently set Kerr up from point-blank range.
The first two were trademark headers – further proof of her innate sense of aerial movement and timing, a talent matched only by Socceroos legend Tim Cahill who was a childhood inspiration for Kerr.
"Im not a religious person but if I was Id say Im blessed with it. I guess I grew up watching Timmy Cahill," Kerr said. "I practice it a lot but I'm also gifted,Read More – Source
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