The Matildas were rocked before their opening Women’s World Cup match by news of a calf injury to talismanic captain, star striker and the team’s ‘spiritual leader’ Sam Kerr. Despite Kerr’s absence, Australia beat the Republic of Ireland 1-0 and stand-in captain Steph Catley said Kerr contributed in the dressing room to help secure the win. Catley, who converted the winning penalty in the 52nd minute, said the squad were ‘completely heartbroken’ when it was revealed that the Chelsea player would miss the first two matches with a calf injury sustained in training. The match was played in front of a record crowd for women’s football in Australia with 75,784 spectators being out in force at the stadium used for the 2000 Olympic Games.
Matildas captain Sam Kerr out of World Cup opening matches with calf injury
Kerr bombshell sucks life out of Australia before inspiration is rediscovered
About Author
More Stories
Japan gripped by two things: a general election and Shohei Ohtani’s shoulder
Spoiler alert: the Jets’ painful Aaron Rodgers isn’t going to get better
‘I didn’t really plan it’: what Ali told me when we rewatched The Rumble in the Jungle