Chelsea forward Sam Kerr has become the Australian national team’s record goalscorer after netting in a 4-3 defeat to the United States in the Olympic Women’s Football Tournament’s Bronze Medal match.
The 27-year-old’s 16th-minute strike was her 48th for the Westfield Matildas, a goal which takes her one clear of Lisa De Vanna in the all-time record goalscoring charts.
Megan Rapinoe opened the scoring for the United States after just eight minutes when she beat Australian keeper Teagan Micah direct from a corner kick before Kerr levelled matters to claim her landmark goal.
Rapinoe then volleyed The Stars and Stripes back into the lead before veteran forward Carli Lloyd’s strike made it 3-1 to the United States on the stroke of half-time.
Lloyd capitalised on a defensive error early in the second half to score her second goal of the game and the United States’ fourth before Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord reduced the deficit just three minutes later.
An action packed game remained in the balance until the final whistle with Australia grabbing a third goal at the death. A quick break upfield allowed Emily Gielnik to make it 4-3. The United States saw out a nervy final few seconds to hold onto their lead and claim the Bronze Medal.
Sweden and Canada will contest the tournament final for the Gold Medal in the early hours of tomorrow morning.