Women’s World Cup 2023: Australia’s Sam Kerr stars as Matildas beat England 2-0

After stunning European champions England, Australia announced themselves as one of the World Cup favourites - delivered with a crucial message for their fans.

Australia's defender Charlotte Grant (2R) is mobbed by teammates after scoring the team's second goal during the International football friendly match between England and Australia at the Gtech Community Stadium in Brentford, west London on April 11, 2023. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)

Australia’s superstar striker Sam Kerr has led the Matildas to a shock confidence-boosting triumph over England, inflicting the first defeat of the Lionesses in two and a half years.

In a stunning result, the Matildas stunned the England team, winning 2-0 thanks to Kerr scoring off an England mistake in the first half and then setting up a brilliant cross in the second half for Charlotte Grant to head the ball, off a deflection, into the net.

There was no sign of the slight leg injury that had benched Kerr, 29, when Australia lost 1-0 to Scotland on Good Friday.

Kerr said later she had a slight sore knee but would be fine to play for Chelsea against Aston Villa on the weekend, while Gustavsson said she had a foot problem.

Kerr said it was a “very, very nice result”, and that for Australians waking up to the news, she hoped “there will be a lot of happy Aussies”.

Sam Kerr celebrates after scoring the Matildas’ opening goal. Picture: Getty

Gustavsson was elated with claiming England’s scalp but he immediately warned the team to be humble and remain in “a grey zone”.

“We need to stay in that boring grey area, to stay grounded and humble, but we know that on any given day we might not have the best team but we can beat the best team and that’s what is needed in tournaments,” he said.

Playing before a sold-out crowd at Brentford in West London, the Matildas have now rocketed to be one of the favourites for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand which starts in under 100 days.

Head coach Tony Gustavsson had noted before the game that a victory against England – the current European champions and a team fresh off winning the Finalissima against Brazil last week on penalties – would be “an overachievement” given the Matildas injury woes, with as many as eight key players out. But he had sent the team out with a brave game plan to press as strongly as possible, even if that meant a big loss.

But the bold Australian tactics paid rich dividends.

Tony Gustavsson pulled off a coaching masterstroke against the European champions. Picture: Getty

Gustavsson said: “It gives me a sense of pride, seeing these players who could use all the excuses in the world not to perform today playing the team that’s the best form in the world right now: they played phenomenal football. To be part of that type of identity and the heart that lives in this team, combining that heart with the head, the discipline of the tactics was brilliant. That combination of head and heart is what makes me really proud.’’

Gustavsson had said: “We have to stay true to our identity and playing style, press as aggressively as we usually do, play our attacking job, not just keep the score down: it might cost us, but we need to be challenged and stay true to who we are.’’

Kerr was on fire in the match which was just down the road from her Chelsea base, capitalising on a dreadful error by the England captain Leah Williamson in the first half. Williamson had misheaded a ball back to the keeper, giving Kerr, who had been off-side until Williamson’s touch, an easy shot at the goal in the 31st minute.

Kerr was heavily involved in the victory, finishing with a goal and an assist. Picture: Getty

Kerr, as is her wont wasn’t going to miss such an opportunity, and she electrified the small contingent of Australian fans braving the soggy conditions with her deft touch and celebratory slide for her 63rd international goal in 130 matches.

“Once I saw that it was kind of floating I knew that there was going to be a miscommunication between the two and fortunately for me, it did,’’ Kerr said.

Williamson, usually one of the Lionesses strongest players was uncharacteristically off her game, giving Kerr that scoring chance, and then minutes later she again miscalculating a second perilous return to the keeper, Mary Earps.

Defender Charlotte Grant (bottom) is mobbed by her Matildas teammates after scoring the second goal. Picture: AFP

Unfortunately for Williamson, her night got worse. In the second half Australia’s Manchester City winger Hayley Ruso sent a long ball down the right flank to Kerr, who struck a booming cross to the head of Grant, whose shot then deflected off the England defender into the net.

The official statisticians credited Grant with the goal, her first in international football.

“To get a goal was just so exciting, I am just pumped,’’she said.

“I just put my head on it and hoped for the best and I am just glad it went int he back of the net”.

The mounting scoreline shocked the Lionesses who had never gone to the break down a goal in the 30 matches under Dutch coach Sarina Wiegman, who took charge in September 2021, let alone lose by two goals.

Wiegman said:”When you play top teams you expect to play top players such as Sam Kerr and when on form they punish you and that’s what happened tonight.” She said there were “many” teams were capable of winning the World Cup , adding “and I think Australia is one of them”.

The Matildas ended England’s 30-game unbeaten streak. Picture: Getty

But Australia’s pace and on-ball defence kept the England team at bay. In the first half, despite the home side enjoying a glut of possession and five goal scoring attempts, Australia appeared composed while England was sluggish.

However the close marking saw Tameka Yallop suffer a foot injury in the first half, and she was replaced by speedy Sydney FC defender Cortnee Vine.

Ellie Carpenter, the 22 year old who plays for Lyon, has returned from injury and was also causing trouble for the England team. Katrina Gorry’s midfield experience shone, and Mackenzie Arnold in goals was solid.

In the second half Kerr had another shot in the 48th minute off a nice ball from Vine, but it went wide. Then Clare Hunt had a close attempt as England appeared to panic and lose their tactical composure.

Gustavsson subbed Kerr late in the second half to protect her from injury when Australia dropped back deep in defence to protect their lead.

Originally published as Women’s World Cup 2023: Australia’s Sam Kerr stars as Matildas beat England 2-0