Sam Kerr’s penalty redemption as Matildas got ‘massive decision’ right’

Sam Kerr has been the talk of the World Cup and she needed a moment after getting sweet redemption in the penalty shootout win.

Tony Gustavsson says the decision to bring Sam Kerr off the bench in Australia’s heart-stopping quarterfinal win over France proved to be the right one.

The Matildas booked their spot in the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time after winning 7-6 on penalties as goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold produced save after save.

Kerr’s calf niggle has been the talk of the tournament, but Gustavsson took a relatively conservative approach by bringing her on for Emily van Egmond in the 55th minute against France.

The Matildas skipper looked lively and was a presence up front as Mary Fowler had the best chances for Australia during the opening 90 minutes.

Gustavsson had declared Kerr could start the match but post-game he admitted the timing of when she entered the game was a “massive” call given extra time was a possibility.

“The biggest decision was when to bring Sam in. It was a massive decision even before the game to leave her on the bench,” Gustavsson said.

“You want the timing right. I was informed that she had limited minutes for (the match) and that we needed to (take) extra time into consideration.

“So, it was not just getting her in during the second half with 45 (minutes) because maybe it could be another 30. What are the risks that she pulls the calf? How many minutes does she actually have?

Sam Kerr came off the bench for Emily van Egmond. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“That was a massive decision to get right and I think we got it right.

“We should have scored during that (period) because we really got the momentum. We did it right, we had them but then when Sam came on and we really had them on the hook.”

Kerr stood up when it mattered most, calmly slotting her penalty in the shootout in a moment of redemption for the 29-year-old.

Kerr famously skied her penalty over the crossbar when the Matildas lost to Norway on penalties 4-1 in the round of 16 at the last 2019 World Cup.

Star players like the USA’s Megan Rapinoe and England’s Harry Kane at last year’s World Cup have missed World Cup penalties in similar fashion, but Kerr made no mistake this time.

Kerr took Australia’s first penalty in 2019 but interestingly, Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley went before her on this occasion.

Gustavsson praised his captain for her coolness under pressure.

“Just the fact that she could push through and then step up as a captain, especially after our vice-captain missed the penalty kick before,” he said.

“She just steps up and buries it. It’s a classic Sam Kerr moment. She carries the team on her shoulder.”

Brisbane Stadium erupted when Kerr came on in the second half and all of Australia exploded when Cortnee Vine put the matchwinning penalty in the back of the net.

Cool as a cucumber in the penalty shootout. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

In the aftermath of the pulsating penalties, Kerr took a moment to herself on the bench to soak it all in appreciate what her team had achieved.

“After the game when everyone was celebrating I just took a moment to myself on the bench,” Kerr.

“We just kept saying we cannot believe it. We’ve grown up together, us girls, and we’ve always talked about this and known we can do it.

“We’ve just fallen short (before), so I think the fact that we’ve got to a semi-final in a World Cup now, we’re just all so shocked.

“Oh my god, I just can’t believe it.”

Kerr conceded she hates penalty shootouts but said the Matildas were calm enough to get the job done.

“They’re a roller coaster, honestly, up and down,” she said.

“But pens is just, I hate pens, I wish there was golden goal or something because I just think it’s such a bad way for anyone to lose.

“And obviously we’ve been on the winning side tonight but it’s just a roller coaster and that’s just what pens are.”

Kerr (right) was all of Australia during the shootout. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

“Weirdly it was super calm, because we had such a process,” Kerr told Channel 7.

“Of course it’s stressful on the outside. But we all were really calm, and we had so much faith in (goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold).

“We’ve been doing that all week - all month, really. The process we went through just kept us really calm.

“In the most stressful moment it was pretty calm actually.”

Sam Kerr takes a moment to herself after the penalties madness. Photo: Channel 7.

Kerr played over an hour of game time and now has just four days to recover in a quick turnaround before the semi-final against England on Wednesday night in Sydney.

“With everything that has been going on, I think the best thing for (this match) was the plan we had and the plan we followed,” she said.

“When I hurt my calf, the plan was to always be ready for the semi final and the final. So, I could have (started) but who knows what could have happened.

“Sam was very energetic when she came in. I think she was excited,” Gustavsson said.

“The moment and that energy also made her run a lot because the moment gets to you, you really want to go in and make an impact - which she did - but then also you could see a little bit of fatigue throughout the game which is natural. She hasn’t been able to train continuously with intensity for a while.”