‘Never heard that’: Sam Kerr moment was insanity

It was “all set up for a Sam Kerr fairy tale” when the Australian captain made a rock star appearance in spine-tingling moment.

Sam Kerr. Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images.

It was set up to be a fairy tale — but Sam Kerr’s night was even more magical than a Cinderella story.

The Australian captain’s injection into the Matildas’ World Cup quarter-final against France was a moment of complete insanity.

The roar she received from the Brisbane crowd was only beaten by the explosion that followed Cortnee Vine’s winning penalty kick to send Australia through to a Women’s World Cup semi-final for the first time.

Kerr needed to take a moment where she sat on the bench by herself in the euphoric scenes that followed Australia’s 7-6 penalty shoot-out win.

It was all too much after such an emotional night.

“After the game, everyone was celebrating. I just couldn’t believe it,” she said on Channel 7 after the match.

“I took a little moment by myself on the bench. We’re all so shocked. Oh my god, I can’t believe it.”

Matildas great Elise Kellond-Knight said at half time: “It is set up for Sam. It is a fairytale for Sam. I can’t wait for her to get out on the field. We are missing the No. 9 striker”.

It wasn’t your typical fairy tale, but that makes it even better.

Sam Kerr let her emotions out. Pics Adam Head

Kerr’s night finished with a classy penalty goal during the shoot-out. Most importantly, she showed her body was more than capable of playing long minutes on the field.

She had to wait until the 55th minute to step onto the pitch after being benched by coach Tony Gustavsson in a decision that divided opinion.

However, the veteran coach showed how important Kerr is by bringing the skipper into the game with the earliest substitution he has made throughout the entire tournament.

After her impressive effort on Saturday night Kerr showed it will not be easy to put Kerr on the bench for the semi-final on Wednesday night.

Suncorp Stadium erupted as soon as fans saw her warming up at the end of the ground — and the place exploded as she stepped onto the field.

Her first touch showed she was ready to make an immediate impact.

“I have never heard a roar like that!” David Basheer said on Seven.

Matildas star Grace Gill also said: “Goosebumps. That one gives you goosebumps”.

Sideline commentator Adam Peacock said: “This World Cup has gone up and up and up in terms of energy levels, but the noise down here and Sam Kerr since she’s gone on has lifted the joint like you would not believe.

“Everyone in the stands are out of their seats at the moment because of the lady playing for the Matildas in pink boots. It’s extraordinary.”

Suncorp Stadium erupts. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Sam Kerr against France. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

Collingwood AFL star Scott Pendlebury posted on Twitter: “Sam Kerr, goosebumps”.

Gustavsson’s decision to bring Kerr on early appeared to be the right one. She immediately pumped energy into the Aussie side and the Matildas dominated the chances on goal in the following 20 minutes before France seized momentum back just before the match went into extra time.

Socceroos legend John Aloisi said on Channel 7 before the match he wanted Gustavsson to put Kerr in the starting line-up.

Gustavsson said Kerr would only start the game if the team believed she was capable of playing for all 90 minutes of the contest.

However, with the match extending to 120 minutes and with the possibility of a penalty shootout, the Australian camp resigned Kerr to a bench role.

John Aloisi said: “Talking from a coach’s point of view, I would’ve loved to have seen Sam start.

“If she’s fit enough to start I would’ve started her, because seeing the French at the back … Sam’s runs would’ve caused them problems.”

Originally published as ‘Never heard that’: Sam Kerr moment was insanity