Sam Kerr truth around England rival sparks Matildas World Cup debate

Matildas fans are continuing to push for superstar Sam Kerr's starting position in the team after her remarkable goal scoring stats against the England goalkeeper have come to light. Kerr is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in Australian sport, but Aussie fans have only seen her come off the bench for the Matildas after the forward suffered a calf injury ahead of the World Cup.

When the Matildas needed a lift against France in the quarter-final, coach Tony Gustavsson subbed on the Chelsea forward. The crowd erupted with an intensity rarely seen in Australian football as Kerr delivered the much needed energy and quality to lift the Matildas.

'NO RESPECT': Uproar over 'shameful' detail amid Matildas heroics

HUGE: Matildas take down Ash Barty in record TV ratings for World Cup

Only Gustavsson and the Matildas coaching team know the details around Kerr's fitness and her ability to play 90 minutes, or more, in the semi-final. However, the coach may be swayed to pick the Chelsea forward to start after looking at her record against the England keeper.

Mary Earps is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and currently plays for Manchester United in the Women's Super League. But when it comes to one-upping your opponent, Kerr may be in the goalkeeper's head.

In their last eight games facing each other for club or country, Earps has picked the ball out of her own net on eight occasions due to Kerr. Since 2021, Kerr has scored seven goals for her club against Earps and one for her country.

And while there are a number of factors influencing whether Kerr will start her first World Cup match in the semi-final on Wednesday, her record against the England goalkeeper will be certainly weighing on their minds.

One fan noted: "One name sends nightmares through England team. Sam Kerr. End of," he wrote.

Sam Kerr set for first World Cup start against England

The nation is certainly waiting to see if Kerr starts for the Matildas on Wednesday having only played around 90 minutes of football in total this tournament. Kerr admitted she could have started in the Matildas' penalty shootout win over France, but was ready to also make an impact off the bench.

Kerr's minutes have been carefully managed by the Aussie team and Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson admitted his skipper's 65-minute display in the pulsating penalty shootout win over France took him by surprise. "She pushed through more minutes than we hoped for to be honest," Gustavsson said.

"One of the reasons why we kept her on the bench was that we were uncertain how many minutes she had coming back from that calf injury but also the limited training minutes she had. The way she pushed through was fantastic and impressive both from a mental and physical aspect."

Adding to the enormous level of intrigue around the superstar striker is the fact Kerr has been spotted with heavy strapping and ice on her other calf, in a shock development before the England match in Sydney. The European champions and World No.4 are set to pose the biggest threat to Gustavsson's side, and the coach admits the decision around Kerr will be particularly difficult.

When do the Matildas play England in World Cup semi-final?

The Matildas - having made history by winning through to a World Cup semi-final for the first time ever - now turn their attention to trying to topple European champions, England. The Aussies will battle their old enemy on Wednesday night at 8pm in front of a sold-out Stadium Australia in Sydney for a place in the final.

Will Australia get a public holiday if the Matildas win?

The sails of the Opera House will light up in green and gold on Wednesday, but the NSW premier would not be drawn on questions about a possible public holiday if the Matildas win. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has previously talked up the possibility.

"We've got two games to go before then," Mr Minns said. Wednesday's showdown with England is the first time either of the men's or women's football teams have ever reached the semi-finals of a World Cup.

Sign up to our newsletter and score the biggest sport stories of the week.