You can either say how great a striker Sam Kerr is or owe it to Jamaica’s inexperience on the world stage as far as the Women’s World Cup. The truth is likely somewhere in the middle in this 4-1 win for Australia. The Matildas finish second in Group C behind Italy on goal difference and ahead of Brazil on goals scored. They will face Norway in the Round of 16 on Saturday.
Kerr headed in her first two goals on inch-perfect crosses from Emily Gielnik and Katrina Gorry, respectively. The second of which Kerr was criminally unmarked. Khadija Shaw got Jamaica their first-ever goal in the Women’s World Cup, but a pair of defensive blunders led to two more Kerr goals.
Kerr was there to pounce after a cross deflected off Sashana Campbell’s thigh and right to Kerr and then goalkeeper Nicole McClure whiffed on a clearance off a back pass and Kerr was all too happy to get her fourth which draws her level with Alex Morgan for goals in this tournament with five overall.
“We weren’t as happy with how we started, but we knew we could come back. We’re really happy – any time I score it’s my job,” said Kerr.
“I think we need to be better for longer. At moments we lapsed and I was frustrated with myself.
“I was proud of the girls [when we were under pressure]. Jamaica were trying to get us on the counter.”
Italy, who finished top despite falling 1-0 to Brazil on a Marta penalty, will face a third-place team from either Group A, B, or F. Brazil could end up facing France or Germany in the Round of 16 depending on how the rest of the group stage goes.
