Sam Kerr got greeted to a loud crowd of cheers for her hometown country in front of a packed crowd of 75,784 at Stadium Australia in Sydney when she came onto the field at the 80th minute in their first round match against Denmark.
She was cleared to play ahead of the first round, though she started the game on the bench, having recovered from a strained calf injury that ruled her out for the co-host's group stage games.
Caitlin Foord and Hayley Raso took care of business, scoring both Australia goals as they blanked Denmark, 2-0, to move on to the quarterfinals.
Denmark looked like the better team through the first 20 minutes of action, interrupting Australia's attempts to get anything going, with captain Pernille Harder reaching out on the gaps.
Showing no signs of fear, they had the first good chance in the 6th minute, but Harder's pass intended for Rikke Madsen was too far and cleared away by Ellie Carpenter.
The forwards for the Matildas were crowded when they were getting on the inroads at the Danish half. The times they were truly looking dangerous were when their midfielders were pushing forward from deep.
They were needing a spark, and it was Foord to lit the fuse.
Foord has consistently caused problems for Denmark's defense, and that was noted with what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 29th minute. After Mary Fowler slowed play down, she played a through ball forward to a racing Foord, who beat out a chasing Stine Ballisager, and fired the ball right into the center of the goal.
She generated another great chance later in the game at the 65th minute, where her pace down the left wing has rattled Denmark, especially after halftime, and set up Emily van Egmond on a great scoring opportunity.
Australia after the first goal went back to firing long diagonals to the wings, to little results. That led to Denmark continuing to knock on the doorstep, threatening to score.
But it was the Matildas capitalizing five minutes later, with Raso scoring her third goal from a give-and-go from van Egmond at the innermost part of the box. The play was initiated by Fowler in transition, finding Kyra Cooney-Cross at the left side, with Australia advancing. She found Foord at the top, and with her running out of space, she passed to the no. 10, who was closed off, deferring to a wide open Raso who was right behind.
Denmark was looking to advance for the first time in their history in the Women's World Cup in their first appearance since 2007, and their first knockout stage appearance since 1995.
But their season ends in front of a raucous crowd at the hands of the co-hosts.
While this loud crowd cheered during the two goals, they saved their loudest for their captain and face of their national team coming into the game.
It was the moment the entire country was waiting for in the days leading up to the knockout stage.
While she didn't have a lot of impact in this match, her symbolism of what she means to the team is significant.
She and her squad now travel to Brisbane to take on either France or Morocco at Lang Park. Les Bleues and the Lionesses of Atlas face off against one another at Hindmarsh Stadium at Adelaide, Australia, at 7:00 AM EDT. FS1 will televise the game for the American audience, while TSN will televise for the Canadian audience.
Scoring
Australia, 29': Caitlin Foord [1], left foot shot from the left side of the box to the center of the goal, assisted by Mary Fowler [1] with a through ball following a fast break. 1-0 Australia
Australia, 70': Hayley Raso [3], right foot shot from the center of the box to bottom left corner, assisted by Emily van Egmond [1]. 2-0 Australia
Substitutions
Denmark, 63': Signe Bruun replaces Rikke Sevecke.
Denmark, 63': Mille Gejl replaces Rikke Madsen.
Denmark, 73': Josefine Hasbo replaces Kathrine Kühl.
Australia, 80': Sam Kerr replaces Hayley Raso.
Australia, 80': Cortnee Vine replaces Emily van Egmond.
Denmark, 82': Sanne Troelsgaard replaces Karen Holmgaard.
Denmark, 82': Emma Snerle replaces Amalie Vangsgaard.
Australia, 90'+1': Clare Polkinghorne replaces Mary Fowler.
Australia, 90'+5': Tameka Yallop replaces Caitlin Foord.
Disciplinary
Denmark, 66': Janni Thomsen is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Team Stats
Possession: Denmark 56% advantage
Shots: Australia 10, Denmark 13
On Target: Australia 3, Denmark 3
Fouls: Australia 7, Denmark 9
Yellow Cards: Australia 0, Denmark 1
Red Cards: Australia 0, Denmark 0
Offsides: Australia 1, Denmark 1
Corner Kicks: Australia 4, Denmark 2
Saves: Australia 3, Denmark 1
Miscellaneous
Venue: Stadium Australia (Accor Stadium)
Location: Sydney, Australia
Attendance: 75,784 (Capacity: 82,500)
Referee: Rebecca Welch (England)
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