Australia is through to the Round of 16 at the Women’s World Cup as runner-up in Group C after dispatching a spirited Jamaica side 4-1 in Grenoble. All four goals were scored by Sam Kerr, who pulled level with the USWNT’s Alex Morgan in the race for the Golden Boot on five goals. The message to the critics rings louder than ever.
Sam Kerr is El Capitan. #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/fpDNIRqTjG
— Conman Fleming (@ConmanFleming) June 13, 2019
In the end, Kerr tormented the Reggae Girlz with nine shots, putting seven of them on frame. The first goal arrived in the 11th minute, and it was a towering header from a 5-6 footballer that plays like the Colossus of Rhodes.
#WWCTelemundo ¡Gran remate de cabeza de @samkerr1, que envía el balón al fondo de las redes!
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 18, 2019
She also sent a long-range header just wide and forced Nicole McClure to tip another looping effort over the bar before scoring her second in the 42nd minute. Of course it was another header.
#WWCTelemundo ¡Nuevamente de cabeza @samkerr1!, la australiana entró sola al área, anotó el segundo a su cuenta y para su selección.
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 18, 2019
In the second half, Kerr added two more but with her feet. The hat trick was complete in the 69th minute after some predatory play in the box from the 25-year-old.
#WWCTelemundo ¡Sí descuidas a @samkerr1 seguro anota gol! HAT-TRICK de la capitana australiana.
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 18, 2019
The fourth came in the 83rd minute after McClure made an absolute mess of trying to kick the ball.
#WWCTelemundo ¡Poker para @samkerr1!
¡¡Error ENORME!! de la portera jamaiquina, que aprovecha Kerr para poner el cuarto en su cuenta y de su selección.#JAM 1-4 #AUS pic.twitter.com/nJhKtRKdLX
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 18, 2019
But it wasn’t all bad for Jamaica — the Reggae Girlz scored their first-ever Women’s World Cup goal in the 49th minute through Havana Solaun. Bunny Shaw recorded the assist.
#WWCTelemundo ¡De esta forma, Havana Solaun se quitó a la arquera y mandó el balón a las redes!
Primer gol con la selección mayor femenina de #JAM.
Primer gol de #Jamaica en una Copa Mundial Femenina.#JAM 1-2 #AUS pic.twitter.com/AkjYFe2JO9
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 18, 2019
Australia plays Norway in the Round of 16 on Saturday, June 22, in Nice. Jamaica has been eliminated.