Sam Kerr's beautiful moment with girlfriend after great escape

Matildas superstar Sam Kerr and her American girlfriend Kristie Mewis shared a beautiful moment with one another after Australia's great escape in Newcastle.

A brilliant challenge from Newcastle local Clare Wheeler set up Kyah Simon to snatch a late equaliser and ensured the Matildas salvaged an unconvincing 1-1 draw with the United States on Tuesday night.

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Defensive lapses looked set to once again cost the Matildas in their final game before January's Asian Cup, when the US' Ashley Hatch scored in the fourth minute before Simon equalised with a deflection in the 88th.

Wheeler, a substitute in the 86th minute, bravely slid in on Ashley Sanchez and as she spun away pinched the ball before passing to Catley. She in turn found Kerr, who worked it to Simon.

The 30-year-old, who missed a sitter in Saturday's 3-0 loss in Sydney, saw her strike deflect off Becky Sauerbrunn before beating Casey Murphy in the US goal to salvage a draw, delighting the 20,495 at McDonald Jones Stadium - a record for the Matildas in Newcastle.

After the final whistle, Kerr and Mewis put their rivalry aside and embraced on the pitch, in the latest heartwarming chapter to their blossoming romance.

The couple made headlines around the world with another beautiful moment after the two countries squared off in the bronze medal playoff match at the Tokyo Olympics.

Shortly after the Games, Kerr went public with her relationship after photos emerged of her and Mewis hugging on the pitch following Team USA's thrilling victory.

Mewis could be seen consoling Kerr after the Aussie star was left heartbroken by the loss.

The loved-up pair then set the internet alight after sharing a raunchy snap of them kissing by a pool.

All that was put aside momentarily as Kerr and Mewis turned rivals for two friendly matches in Australia, that showed Kerr's Matildas have plenty of work ahead of them if they hope to claim the Asian Cup for the first time since 2010.

Before that though, Kerr has another piece of silverware in her sights as the 28-year-old's Chelsea target a Women's FA Cup triumph against London rivals Arsenal.

Days after leaving Australia, the Matildas superstar is set to hit the hallowed Wembley Stadium turf when Chelsea take on Arsenal in the final of the prestigious Cup competition.

More than 40,000 fans are set to watch on as Kerr attempts to add one of the missing pieces of silverware to her two Women's Super League titles, two League Cups, an FA Community Shield and a WSL golden boot.

"I've never won this one and the girls always tell me that this is the best one to win if you're going to win anything," Kerr told AAP.

"So I'm super excited. Super-excited to play at Wembley, I'm gonna have some family there from London. It's just going to be a special day for everything. I can't wait.

"But I'm going to be struggling with that jet lag, I have to get on that sleep pattern, real quick."

Sam Kerr to play compatriots in FA Cup final

Kerr, who this week finished third in the Ballon d'Or, has thrived at Chelsea under manager Emma Hayes.

She currently leads the WSL golden boot standings and recently re-signed until mid-2024.

"I'm in a good place at the moment. I've always said when I'm happy off the field I play well on the field, so everything's just falling into place for me," she said.

"(Hayes) was a massive part of why I signed for Chelsea and since I've been here she's only lived up to the expectations of what I had heard about Emma. She's been great.

"It's been a tough year, not only football wise, but most of us haven't really seen our family and she's been really understanding and that's been really important to me.

"She's been great not only off the field but definitely on the field. She's helped me and guided me in the right direction and given me a push when I needed and put an arm around me when I needed it."

Some familiar faces are set to stand in Kerr's way in the final, just days after training and playing alongside her in two friendlies against the United States.

Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Lydia Williams are part of the Arsenal squad that is top of the WSL and enjoying a resurgence under new coach Jonas Eidevall.

with AAP

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