Sam Kerr photo highlights brutal reality of devastating miss in World Cup loss
The Matildas superstar couldn't believe she didn't find the back of the net a second time against England.
Sam Kerr shouldn't be immune from criticism and rightly admitted she should have buried a second goal in the Matildas' 3-1 loss to England on Wednesday night. The superstar striker scored an absolute screamer to level the score at 1-1 in the second half of the blockbuster semi-final at the Women's World Cup.
But it was a brutal miss not long after that perhaps proved more telling, with Kerr admitting afterwards that she would normally nail the close-range strike 99 times out of 100. After England had retaken a 2-1 lead, the ball fell to Kerr on the six-yard box and appeared destined for the back of the net.
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Kerr met the ball on the volley and put her foot through it, with the majority of Australia expecting to see it sail into the roof of the net. But Kerr's shot sprayed just wide of the right-hand post, giving England a huge reprieve and leaving Kerr exasperated.
The Matildas captain threw her hands to her head in disbelief with a look of absolute pain on her face that she'd failed to take such a golden opportunity. To make matters worse, England scored their third goal not long after to put the result to bed and send the Matildas packing.
While some have suggested the chance for Kerr wasn't as straightforward as it first appeared, photos from the in-goal cameras paint a brutal story. Kerr can be seen right in front of goals with the ball on her right foot at a perfect height - enough to convince anyone who hadn't seen the moment live that she was about to bury it.
Sam Kerr's devastation over missed chance in loss
Considering her prolific record and the absolute wonder-stike she'd produced earlier, some went as far as to say it would be 'un-Australian' to criticise Kerr for the miss. But she was making no excuses when speaking to reporters after the match, admitting it had taken the shine off her earlier goal.
"All I can think about is disappointment right now," she said. "I think that's kind of the only thing that's keeping me smiling right now, is the way that we've inspired the nation, everyone's got behind us.
"The tournament's been amazing, every single team, player, person that's visited has said how beautiful our country is. So I think for us, it's been hopefully life-changing for women's football in Australia."
When asked what moments she will “replay in her head”, Kerr responded: “The one that I missed. The last little bit. I think I did everything that I can to be back in this tournament. If I trained more, five times in this World Cup, maybe I would have sunk that one.
“I can’t put all the blame on myself. I have to think of all the things the team have done and I have done to be where we are now and inspire a nation. It is really disappointing.
“It’s been tough. I can’t remember the last time I missed three games in a row. Just had to stick with the girls and they’ve done amazing and just had to focus what I could focus on and then be ready for tonight and the minutes I got over the last two games. It’s been an enjoyable ride to be on, I guess regardless of the calf, it’s been an amazing honour to be here.”
Sam Kerr's incredible goal 'wasn't worth anything'
Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson later said: "Knowing Sam, she probably thinks that goal means nothing - wasn't worth anything. She wants to win, she's a winner.
"I'm happy for her that she got that goal, I think it proves who Sam Kerr is and what she can do. It was a world-class goal and it says a lot about the qualities that Sam Kerr has [and her] individual brilliance.
"I know that she's upset that she missed the two chances at the end of the game. That's why she's worried, she always wants to score, she looks at herself as a goal-scorer, a game-winner.
"She's going to be upset with that. We need to support her, she did everything she could. She dug deep and the fact she was able to play 90 minutes is unreal."
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