Kerr makes Matildas history in thrilling win

Sam Kerr has achieved an incredible piece of goal-scoring history as the Matildas beat Norway in their Algarve Cup opener.

The Aussie superstar scored the Matildas' third goal in their 4-3 win on Thursday morning (AEST) in Portugal.

The goal marked Kerr's 12th in her last seven games, making her the first Australian woman to score in seven-straight international matches.

It's Australia eighth win in a row, with Alen Stajcic's side needing a 94th minute winner from Clare Polkinghorne to defeat the former world champions in howling conditions.

With the benefit of the wind, the Matildas side took a 3-1 lead into halftime.

They threw away that advantage by the hour mark and after spurning several late chances, it seemed Australia's record winning streak was over.

That is, until a corner broke down and fell to Polkinghorne, alone by the goalpost, to tap home an extraordinary winner - and her second goal of the game.

The centre-back made amends for a poor defensive effort on 11 minutes which allowed W-League import Elise Thorsnes to put Norway ahead.

Two Queenslanders combined within two minutes to put Australia on terms, when Polkinghorne headed in Elise Kellond-Knight's superb corner kick into the wind.

When Chloe Logarzo volleyed home from veteran Norweigan goalkeeper Ingrid Hjelmseth's embarrassing blunder, Australia were away.

Kerr netted the third, overtaking legendary forward Sarah Walsh's national team record by scoring in a seventh-straight international.

The 24-year-old latched onto fellow Western Australian Lisa De Vanna's pass and slotted home coolly at the near post.

There was no backflip in the rain but her unprecedented 12th goal in that run certainly merited it.

Losing the benefit of the wind at half-time, Australia conceded scrappy goals to Lisa-Marie Utland from a corner and a penalty, converted by Thorsnes.

The Matildas pushed into the wind and looked more likely to find a winner.

Kerr botched two one-on-one chances and had an effort ruled out for offside in the final minutes, when Larissa Crummer also made a meal of a simple header from Kerr's cross.

But the world No.4 side sit on top of Group A thanks to Kennedy's late intervention as they look to add the Algarve Cup to their trophy cabinet.

Australia is back in action at the friendly tournament on Saturday (AEDT) against the hosts, who defeated China 2-1 in their opening match.

with AAP