Matildas v England: Sam Kerr proved again that regardless of Australia’s depth, she is irreplaceable

With 99 days remaining until Australia co-hosts the FIFA World Cup, Kerr is by far the tournament’s biggest local drawcard. And after starring in the Matildas’ historic 2-0 win over England, the European champions and No.4 ranked team globally, Kerr’s contributions to the Australian team have never been more in focus.

The Matildas captain scored Australia’s first goal in their 2-0 win over the Lionesses and set-up Charlotte Grant’s second, both scored against the run of play when Kerr punished loose passes from England’s defence.

They were key moments that pointed to the inevitability of Kerr and the threat she poses to any country‘s backline – and equally laid bare Australia’s reliance on their frontman.

“One thing is her individual qualities as a footballer, but even more important is her values as a person,” Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson said.

“How she carries the team both in the locker room and on the pitch is amazing.

“I want to give credit to the players around her as well, how they play for her and with her. If you have a team that back up an individual player like Sam, Sam can shine.”

Gustavsson and his team have been working to develop depth in the Matildas’ roster since he took the top job in 2020. It has become a hallmark of his time in the role.

It was, at times, impossible to watch, most notably when Australia succumbed 7-0 to Spain last June. But green shoots are forming. When Tameka Yallop, one of the key players of the old guard, was injured and substituted before half time against England, Cortnee Vine was injected into the game.

Vine, like Ellie Carpenter’s understudy Grant, has become a feature for the Matildas in recent fixtures. Add to that list names such as Clare Hunt, who was one of Australia’s best on ground against the Lionesses, and it’s hard to disagree that Gustavsson has ultimately been successful in his intent.

Yet, for all the promising players Gustavsson has introduced into the national fold, one point remains obvious: there is no replacement for Sam Kerr, Australia’s most important attacking weapon and a player Australia desperately missed against Scotland.

Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold had the best possible vantage point to watch both games play out, and the impact that Kerr had in coming back into the starting XI to face England.

“I think we didn’t play our best football on Friday without her,” Arnold said. “She’s a great leader and always helpful to have on the field – obviously, it’s Sam Kerr.”

Australia’s seeming inability to convert without Kerr, will be one of Gustavsson’s key focuses as he looks towards France in June and the World Cup in July.

“Over the past two years we have looked at some different options,” Gustavsson said about a Kerr replacement. “Mary Fowler can play a false nine. We have looked at Caitlin Foord and seen what we’ve done for Arsenal. We looked at Cortnee Vine if we want to have a speedy nine.

“And we’ve looked at Larissa [Crummer], as one of our best pressing forwards that can offload minutes from Sam.

“Hopefully Sam is available for most minutes at the World Cup.”

It’s only the second time the Matildas have beaten England, following their 4-3 win at the Tokyo Olympics in what’s unfurling as a great rivalry in this new era of women’s football.

With England emerging as the gold standard for the women’s game, the Aussies’ ability to measure up both in international matches and domestic competition will be an important marker for the development of Australian football.

Wednesday’s victory will also do wonders for the confidence of the Matildas as they look towards a legacy-defining World Cup.

“They’re a great team, so obviously it’s good to put in a good team performance and beat a top team,” Kerr said post-match.

“We’ve got to take it with a grain of salt before the World Cup. It’s about building on our performances and where we can get better.

“Of course it feels really nice right now but it’s just one step in the journey towards the World Cup.”

With England and Spain as scalps, the Matildas have now beaten two top-10 sides this year. The development of the Australian team and its second 11 players – who were the victims of that Spanish shellacking – in the span of one year feels colossal.

“A lot of girls haven’t played a team like this and players as good as these players, so it’s a big performance for us as a team … we’ve got a lot of players out,” Kerr said.

“It’s nice to put in a good performance, we’ve had a couple of up and down performances over the last couple of months. But unfortunately, beating England doesn’t win us anything tonight.

“To finish out tonight before we go home for the World Cup is really nice.”

This stretch of games will forever be remembered for Australia ending England’s 30-game unbeaten streak with a 2-0 win, but the Matildas’ 1-0 loss to Scotland last week was also significant.

Australia will likely need to win all three World Cup group games to avoid playing a revenge-minded England in the round of 16 and lapses in concentration to lower ranked Ireland and Nigeria could prove problematic.

On a positive note, Arnold looks to have asserted herself as the preferred starter between the sticks for the Matildas. She stood up in goals, looked unruffled by the uncharacteristically messy England attack and proved that she will be difficult to unglove for the No.1 jersey in July.

Gustavsson has unlocked a gem in Clare Hunt, who looks like a worthy successor to her namesake and defensive partner Polkinghorne. Defensive issues were a headache for the Matildas one year ago, when injuries began to plague Alanna Kennedy and Ellie Carpenter was mid-rehab.

But, against England, it was the team’s strongest line.

Australia’s final friendly before the world visits our shores is against France in June. It will be an important test for the Matildas’ England- and Australia-based players, who have a lengthy gap between the end of their club seasons and the start of the World Cup.

Additionally, a number of players were kept out of the April window due to injury. Given the performances of Hunt and Grant against Scotland, Kennedy and vice-captain Catley will need to show they are at the top of their games as they push to re-enter the starting side.

The Matildas will also be sweating on the quick recoveries of Yallop, who started her first match in over a year, and Vine, who was a late substitute after coming up second-best in a tackle close to the final whistle.