‘Ludicrous’: England blasted for using ‘dirty’ tactics on Matildas

The Lionesses have hit back after being accused of deliberately targetting Sam Kerr with ‘dirty’ tactics in the World Cup semi-final.

Sam Kerr was brought down in nasty fashion. Photo: Twitter, News Corp Australia.

Lionesses coach Sarina Wiegman has denied that she instructed her team to target Sam Kerr, with the Matildas’ talisman bearing the brunt of a brutal barrage from the English midfield and defence.

England conceded nine fouls to Australia’s one in the first half, with Alex Greenwood copping a yellow card in the 10th minute for the latest of cynical challenges.

Wiegman maintained that Kerr, broadly considered one of the greatest strikers the world has ever seen, was simply one of eleven players in green and gold on the pitch, and didn’t warrant special attention.

Asked whether she truly believed her game plan “wasn’t all about Sam Kerr”, Wiegman was steadfast.

“No, I think they (Australia) wanted to find Sam Kerr quickly too,” Wiegman said.

“And she made runs, they also tried to find her in the build(up).

“I think also the two midfielders for Australia were very quick, and they were sometimes very dangerous when they went forward too.

“Of course Sam Kerr is an important player to them, but I think there are more players for Australia that are really good.

“Yeah, we had to defend really well, and be in possession to play well too.”

Sam Kerr was brought down in nasty fashion. Photo: Twitter, News Corp Australia.

Sam Kerr fights for the ball with England's Jessica Carter. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)

Right-back Lucy Bronze was similarly unequivocal.

Asked by news.com.au whether there was a concerted plan to target the likes of Kerr in a physical sense early on in the clash, Bronze denied the charge.

“No,” Bronze replied.

“I think the most physical game we played was probably against Nigeria, so playing Australia was a little less physical than that game.

“I think we’ve been prepared to play against many different types of teams in this tournament.

“And yeah, I think we’re capable of matching any team in terms of physicality, or whatever - football-based, counter-attack, sitting in blocks, high press, this England team’s adaptable to deal with whatever the game gives us.”

Pressed on whether that adaptability involved a specific plan regarding Kerr, Bronze held firm.

“Not particularly, we just wanted to play our game, and that’s exactly what we did,” she said.

“We didn’t have someone running around after Sam Kerr.

“We know she’s a fantastic player, but we’ve got 11 of those on the pitch.

“We just had to play our own game and I think that’s what we did tonight.”

The Lionesses were blasted by pundits for their tactics as early as the very first play of the game with Barcelona star midfielder Keira Walsh landing on Kerr’s foot.

It wouldn’t even be ten minutes before Alex Greenwood clattered into Kerr, not impressing Optus Sport’s Amy Chapman.

“Greenwood very aware of who that was,” Chapman wrote.

“That was a very nasty tackle.”

Caitlin Foord was taken to ground by Bronze in what was described as a “blatant shove” by Grace Gill, while David Basheer on Seven added it was a “very iffy challenge”.

'Number one on the list of tactics was 'kick Sam Kerr a couple of times.'' 😳

England win the physical battle of the first half.

Watch 📲 https://t.co/ld3UegzwLk#FIFAWWC#OptusSportpic.twitter.com/jPmMqvPI9s

— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) August 16, 2023

Tensions blew over at Stadium Australia when Jess Carter threw her boot in Kerr’s face in another reckless challenge, with Steve Wilson saying what every Australian was thinking on Optus Sport.

“Sam Kerr might just be getting the feeling that England are targeting her. That’s three times now,” Wilson said.

Chapman described it as a “ludicrous attempt to get to the ball”.

Optus Sport’s Catherine Cannuli said: “number one on the list of tactics was ‘kick Sam Kerr a couple of times’.”

The strategy set social media alight, with AAP’s Darren Walton astonished by the Lionesses’ display of physicality.

“Did Piers Morgan devise these dirty English tactics?”, asked Walton.

SBS’ Robert Grasso was equally unimpressed.

“A lot of cynical fouls so far from England tonight,” Grasso wrote.

“Dangerous game to play.”

Caitlin Foord was roughed up by England’s Lucy Bronze. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

ABC’s Melissa Maykin was furious. “England can catch these hands,” Maykin wrote.

“Playing so dirty tonight.”

6 News’ Leonardo Puglisi was incredulous. “Spirit of the game?” he simply asked.

England would go to the half 1-0 up, after a sensational finish from Manchester United star Ella Toone, burying a shot across the face of goal into the furthest of top corners.

“It’s a special strike,” said Grace Gill on Seven.

“Nothing on that occasion that Mackenzie Arnold could have been able to do to keep that one out. She’s hit that really sweetly.”

While England’s physicality was toned back as the sides began the second half, Stadium Australia exploded at every moment of perceived indiscretion and physicality, taking umbrage to any clash between players.

A long-range Kerr stunner would level the scores in the 63rd minute, sending the entire nation into a whirlwind as she took on two defenders and scored from 25 yards out.

A defensive breakdown at the back would see Lauren Hemp knock in England’s second less than ten minutes later, before Alessia Russo would seal the most heartbreaking of exits for the Matildas on home turf in the 86th minute, firing the Lionesses to a maiden World Cup final.

The Matildas now look ahead to a third-place playoff match in Brisbane against Sweden on Saturday August 20.