Sam Kerr gifts her jersey to teammate and World Cup rival after loss

In the moments after Australia’s World Cup hopes were crushed, Sam Kerr delivered a heartfelt gesture of respect to one opponent.

Kerr and Bright embrace. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP).

Sam Kerr’s World Cup dreams had just been dashed as England took care of business against Australia during their semi-final contest on Wednesday night.

The Matildas superstar gave her all and as the reality of heartbreak set in, one opponent consoled Kerr.

England skipper Millie Bright sought out her fellow captain and wrapped her arms around her in a touching post-game moment at Sydney’s Stadium Australia.

The two battled it out all game long, but their relationship goes further than an enthralling matchup on Wednesday night.

Bright and Kerr are teammates for Premier League side Chelsea with the Aussie saying the two are "best mates".

While the heartfelt embrace after the final whistle took fans by storm, it was an unseen act by Kerr that really stole the show.

Kerr and Bright embrace. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP).

As the players rolled through the media zone shortly after the match, Bright appeared in front of the waiting press wearing Kerr’s jersey.

“I’ve been after this shirt for a long time,” Bright told 7NEWS as she looked down at Kerr’s jersey that she was wearing, and touched it and smiled.

“She is an incredible player and world class.

“She gets one moment and it’s in the back of the net.

“In football, we always have huge amounts of respect for our opponents and some of our opponents are more than that, they are friends as well.

“Huge respect not only for the (Matildas) team, but for Sam as well, my teammate back home.

“It’s hard, as much as she is the enemy out there tonight, she is a really good friend.

“I am really proud of her journey and having her injury and being able to be out there tonight.”

Just class.

💛 @Mdawg1brightpic.twitter.com/13viO1Xizs

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) August 17, 2023

Bright wearing Kerr’s jersey.

Kerr was devastated after the defeat, but said she was happy for her Chelsea teammate and hopes she can take it all the way.

“It (losing) sucks for one of us and I would have much preferred to play her in the final,” she said.

“She is my best mate at Chelsea.

“As much as it sucks, I wish her all the best and I hope she can win it (the final).”

Australia will take on Sweden in the third placed playoff on Saturday at Brisbane Stadium from 6pm (AEST).

England and Spain will square off in the World Cup final which takes place at Sydney’s Stadium Australia on Sunday from 8pm.