Touching Olympic moment sparks Sam Kerr romance bombshell

It was a beautiful post-game moment that melted the hearts of fans and summed up what the Olympic spirit is all about: a shattered Sam Kerr being consoled on the pitch by an American rival after falling agonisingly short of a bronze medal at the Tokyo Games.

Kerr and Team USA rival Kristie Mewis provided a lovely moment after the Americans won the bronze medal match 4-3, leaving Australia waiting for its first ever Olympic medal in football.

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The heartbreak and exacting toll that the Olympics can take on athletes was exemplified by the wonderful images of an exhausted Kerr and Mewis sharing a moment on the ground together after the match.

In a stunning twist though, it turns out there might be more behind the images than simply an incredible display of sportsmanship.

The pictures of the two cuddled-up stars have fanned rumours that have been swirling on social media for weeks - that the pair are now a couple.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Kerr split with her long-time girlfriend Nikki Stanton before the Olympics after telling friends she had “fallen out of love” with the Chicago Red Stars.

Kerr and Stanton dated for seven years after meeting while playing together in the United States, but have drifted apart after the Aussie's move to English giants Chelsea.

The Aussie captain's new-found single status has been the subject of curiosity for fans on social media, with recent comments between Kerr and Mewis on Instagram suggesting she may have found a new romantic interest.

"Glad to see you're committing to your new number," Mewis commented on a photo of Kerr with her Matildas teammates prior to the Games, to which Kerr replied "committing to you more then 2 [sic].

The photos of the pair together in Tokyo have provided further proof that they could be one of football's new power couples and fans on social media are loving the idea.

Mewis, 30, only recently made her way back into the USWNT ranks after a six-year hiatus and likely would not have made the American team if the Games were held in 2020.

The Houston dash star's three goals and an assist in the lead-up to the Olympics proved enough for her to punch her ticket to Tokyo.

Matildas lament 'heartbreaking' USA defeat

The US team beat the Matildas for bronze after a seven-goal thriller that saw Kerr become Australia's greatest goalscorer.

Megan Rapinoe's magnificent goal gave the US the advantage in the eighth minute, with Kerr equalising in the 17th.

It was Kerr's 48th international goal, overtaking Lisa De Vanna as the Matildas' all-time top scorer.

Rapinoe volleyed the world champions back in front, then Carli Lloyd scored either side of half-time to make it 4-1.

Caitlin Foord hit back in the 54th while Emily Gielnik scored a 90th-minute belter - but the Matildas went home empty-handed.

"Coming so close to a medal is completely heartbreaking," vice-captain Steph Catley said.

"Especially being so close and really taking it to the top teams in the world and out-playing them at times and getting so close to scoring in certain moments.

"It just feels like we were right there and it's just been snatched from us. So it's definitely tough to take.

"... It's hard to say (the tournament) was a success. A success would have been a medal - that was our goal from the beginning.

"But I would say we've gained a lot, learned a lot and come a long, long way from where we were."

with agencies

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