Having celebrated Mother's day with a cup-final winning goal in front of her mum, Sam Kerr has looked ahead to "an amazing home World Cup" while teammates lined up to pay tribute to her lethal goalscoring.
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The West Australian scored the only goal as Chelsea beat Manchester United in the Women's FA Cup final in front of 77,390 at Wembley Stadium - a world record for a domestic club game - to take her tally to five goals in the last three finals, all won by the London club.
It was just before 11pm Sunday night back home in Perth when she scored and Kerr said "I hope plenty of people were watching". Those family members who were unable to be halfway around the world would have been, but mum Roxanne was at the game.
Asked if she'd dedicated the goal to her Kerr admitted to AAP: "Yeah, but I haven't really thought that honestly mate, I'm just happy to get over the line."
Chelsea were outplayed for much of the game but, as so often, Kerr's finishing touch was the difference.
"She just thrives in these big games, in these big stadiums, with a big crowd," said Welsh international Sophie Ingle of the Matildas captain.
"She's a big player. She loves these type of games and it shows. Sam is always in the right place when needed. She was incredible today."
Another Chelsea teammate, England's Jess Carter, said: "She's made for the big stage, isn't she? We all know as a team that if we can stay in the game and keep a clean sheet, we'll create chances and we got players who will score goals for us. Sam put it away really well."
Millie Bright added "She's that sort of player, just needs one chance and 'bang' it's in the back of the net," while manager Emma Hayes said "She's so alive to situations. She can cope with the pressure, the expectations and everything that comes with being a top-level footballer. And honestly, she's the sweetest human being. Such a loving person."
England defenders Bright and Carter might have to work out a way to stop Kerr in few months at the Women's World Cup. Chelsea have a league title to win first - they are two points behind United with a game in hand - but Kerr's already keenly anticipating at the prospect of playing in the finals at home.
"It's going to be massive. Hopefully we'll all be fit and firing in front of great crowds like this," she said.
"I think the Australian nation will be shocked by the amount of interest there is in the women's game, and football in general. It's going to be an amazing tournament."
Australian Associated Press
