Sam Kerr Is Set to Get Her Women’s World Cup Campaign Going for Australia after Injury Setback

Sam Kerr of Australia celebrates following their win over Canada during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 soccer Group B match between Ireland and Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, 31 July 2023. (EPA)
Sam Kerr of Australia celebrates following their win over Canada during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 soccer Group B match between Ireland and Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, 31 July 2023. (EPA)
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Sam Kerr Is Set to Get Her Women’s World Cup Campaign Going for Australia after Injury Setback

Sam Kerr of Australia celebrates following their win over Canada during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 soccer Group B match between Ireland and Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, 31 July 2023. (EPA)
Sam Kerr of Australia celebrates following their win over Canada during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 soccer Group B match between Ireland and Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, 31 July 2023. (EPA)

In the end, Sam Kerr wasn't needed as Australia advanced to the knockout stages of the Women's World Cup.

But the Matildas’ inspirational captain is finally expected to get on the field against Denmark in the round of 16 on Monday,

“I’m really excited. I will play,” Kerr told Australia's Nine TV network.

The star striker has been sidelined since injuring her left calf on the eve of co-host Australia's first game against Ireland on July 20.

Though she recovered well enough to make the bench against Canada, coach Tony Gustavsson didn't have to ask the Chelsea forward to perform a rescue act as the Matildas routed the Olympic champion 4-0 to top Group B.

While it is still not clear if she will be in the starting 11 against Denmark, both Kerr and Gustavsson are talking as if she will make her entrance at the World Cup at Stadium Australia.

“We had a nice moment as a team yesterday, to see her back with the boots on and touching the ball and be with the team training," Gustavsson said Sunday. "And it was a very good feeling for her and a very good feeling for the players and the teammates and a very good feeling for me.

“Today she was off-feet. It’s all an individual plan for her in training - I trust my (medical) team 100% to prepare her the best way possible."

Gustavsson said he was working on “how to get the best out of Sam Kerr” in the game.

Kerr is one of the biggest sports stars in Australia and has been the face of the country's preparations for the World Cup, which it is co-hosting with New Zealand.

Considered one of the best players in the world, she helped Chelsea to a Women's Super League and FA Cup double last season.

The 29-year-old Kerr was one of the favorites to be the leading scorer in this tournament, but there were initial doubts she would be able to play any part for Australia after sustaining a calf injury in training.

She has won four league titles with Chelsea, as well as three FA Cups and two League Cups.

Kerr scored the winner as Chelsea beat Manchester United 1-0 in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium last season. The game was played in front of a crowd of 77,390.



Arsenal Closes the Gap on Liverpool after 1-0 Win against Chelsea in Premier League

Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 16, 2025 Arsenal's Mikel Merino scores their first goal past Chelsea's Robert Sanchez. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 16, 2025 Arsenal's Mikel Merino scores their first goal past Chelsea's Robert Sanchez. (Reuters)
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Arsenal Closes the Gap on Liverpool after 1-0 Win against Chelsea in Premier League

Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 16, 2025 Arsenal's Mikel Merino scores their first goal past Chelsea's Robert Sanchez. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 16, 2025 Arsenal's Mikel Merino scores their first goal past Chelsea's Robert Sanchez. (Reuters)

Mikel Merino led Arsenal to a 1-0 win against Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.

Merino's first-half header settled the London derby at the Emirates Stadium and saw second-placed Arsenal move within 12 points of leader Liverpool.

In another all-London clash, Fulham beat Tottenham 2-0.

Arsenal's title hopes have faded in recent weeks, but it closed the gap on Liverpool, which was playing Newcastle in the English League Cup final later in the day.

Merino rose in the 20th minute to flick Martin Odegaard's near post corner beyond Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. It was enough to secure a first league win for Mikel Arteta's team since February 15.

Defeat for fourth-placed Chelsea means it missed the chance to extend its one-point lead over Manchester City in fifth and boost its chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

Arsenal, on 58 points, is 10 clear of four time defending champion City.

Spurs blow

Another setback for Tottenham is likely to increase the pressure on coach Ange Postecoglou heading into the international break.

Spurs, in 14th, have only won one of their last five in all competitions and this was a 15th league defeat of the season.

Rodrigo Muniz gave Fulham the lead in the 78th at Craven Cottage and Ryan Sessegnon doubled the home team's lead 10 minutes later.

Fulham is eighth and four points behind Chelsea in the race for a Champions League place.