The Matildas’ run to the Round of 16 has brought back the feel-good factor to Australian football and restored a sense of pride in our national teams.
Congratulations to Sam Kerr for becoming the first ever Australian to score a hat-trick at a World Cup.
Her first two goals in the 4-1 win over Jamaica were textbook headers and although the other two goals were both gifts, she still put herself in a position to score them.
As impressive as her four-goal haul was, the question now is whether she can lead the Matildas to a knock-out stage win over Norway and into the quarter-finals.
As my colleague and esteemed editor of The Roar Dan Jeffrey pointed out on The Game Of Codes podcast during the week, Kerr’s fourth goal was actually crucial in that it saw the Matildas finish second in the group on goal difference.
Sam Kerr scores a goal. (Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)
A clash with Norway is the reward and if the Matildas are thankful for the presence of Kerr, many Norwegians are still somewhat perplexed by the absence of Ada Hegerberg.
The Lyon striker won the inaugural Ballon d’Or Feminin last year as the best player in women’s football but she hasn’t played for her national team since 2017, citing a lack of equality in the women’s game.
She’s been outspoken about the “lack of respect” she feels women’s football receives – particularly in her native Norway – although her stance invoked a stinging rebuke from Real Madrid wunderkind Martin Odegaard in the build-up to the tournament.
“Couldn’t you find anything better to do just before the World Cup begins?” Odegaard asked Hegerberg on Instagram in the wake of the publication of a recent interview outlining her position.
“Being able to represent your country at the World Cup is one of the biggest honours in football.
“Your team-mates deserve better,” the 20-year-old midfielder added.
Who said only Australia does disharmony?
But the Norwegians have done alright without Hegerberg, even if they rode their luck during the group stage.
They converted a couple of deserved penalties in their 2-1 win over South Korea but were fortunate not to concede an equaliser at the death, while two more of the goals they scored in the group stage were actually own goals.
They look just as vulnerable at the back as the Matildas do, so the outcome in Nice may well come down to whichever team manages to tighten up defensively.
This is where we’ll find out if interim coach Ante Milicic is worth his salt.
There’s no doubt he’s been hampered by some injury concerns and it will be interesting to see whether he rushes back experienced central defender Clare Polkinghorne in Nice.
Neither Elise Kellond-Knight nor Tameka Yallop started against Jamaica either, so there may well be a shuffling of the decks at the Stade de Nice on the picturesque French Riviera.
And the Aussies can ill-afford to switch off for an extended period as they did against the Jamaicans after half-time in Grenoble.
The Matildas were on the back foot for long periods in all three group-stage games and better teams will punish any lapses in defence from here on in.
Australia’s Ellie Carpenter. (AP Photo/Claude Paris)
It shouldn’t be forgotten that Norway was an early powerhouse in women’s football, winning the 1995 Women’s World Cup in Sweden and claiming gold at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.
They’re no strangers to big-time tournament football.
But if there’s one thing Australian football has largely lacked in recent years – on the pitch, at least – it’s a narrative for us to all hang our collective hat on.
The Matildas have reminded us that football is meant to be enjoyable.
They’ve helped get our hopes up and have us dreaming of winning a World Cup.
They’ll have to beat Norway first.
But in the form Sam Kerr is in, anything is possible on Sunday morning.
Onside
Guest
Sam Kerr off to Chelsea.
Lachlan
Guest
It was grand of the Roar's editor to point out what anyone who's actually following the World Cup knew immediately.
Griffo
Roar Guru
The PFA have posted their analysis of Norway and how they’ve played so far.
BillPosters
Roar Rookie
To be honest I did not really care about this competition at all before it started. Then when I actually watched some games it changed my perspective completely. Great comp and thoroughly enjoyable!
Johnny J-Dog
Guest
We wouldn't be here if not for Sam Kerr. Go on, Tell me I'm wrong. You guys are kidding no-one but yourselves.
Fadida
Roar Rookie
Let's be honest though, women's football has so much space that goal scoring is much easier, and games more open. I hear all of the time " why can't the Socceroos score like the Matildas?". Ahh, wide open spaces and often substandard or small keepers. This isn't a comment on overall quality , but a natural advantage in athleticism that men have
chris
Guest
These are the "finals" as you say. They've been happening for the past couple of weeks. Is there some other tournament you are referring to that we should be saving our Sammy for?
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
I'd love to see Mary Fowler start, but that won't happen.
outlook
Guest
Marta broke the goal scoring record courtesy of a penalty in each of two games.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Agree with this. Definitely Norway pressing from the front when we play out via our two CB's, or van Egmond (EvE) who has been susceptible under pressure. Especially immediately in transition from attack to defence when we gain possession deep in our defensive third - we have real trouble with penetrating passes and/or lay-offs under 1v1. I don't think we will play any differently here - just improve the percentages and passing decision making - and I don't expect our defensive midfield to change from either 4-3-3 or 4-5-1: Williams Carpenter Kennedy Cately KK EvE What might change (a big if as I haven't seen this yet under Ante) is a 3-2 arrangement: Williams Carpenter Kennedy Cately KK EvE (with EvE forward of KK in attack) This would require Carpenter to not bomb forward as far (and nullify a creative outlet so far), or for EvE to provide cover but blunt her own attacking instincts - neither which I think would be possible. It is going to be a game for the midfield for us - controlling it, keeping the ball, penetrating runs, accurate crossing and passing, pressing, picking up the second ball, defensive cover - that will make or break us.
Punter
Roar Rookie
How big will that be England v Australia in the 1/4s, my English family facebook won't know what would hit them.
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
If i was Norway, the way to close us down would be to play a minder on Sam, with a close by back up, for the scraps, and a pressing midfield. One common denominator has been the way we find ways to turn over possession in midfield, on worse still become too casual in knocking the ball around at the back, putting ourselves under pressure. If Norway start out solely worrying about 'Our Sammy' then I expect them to concede and end up chasing the game which will be just as we want it.
Johnny J-Dog
Guest
Nah, shut down Kerr and you've won. Ask Italy. We have no Plan B.
Johnny J-Dog
Guest
Yeah, you're right. Give Kerr a rest next game to save her for the finals.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Yep, although we need to worry about the Norway game, a matchup with England is likely which should put MSM in a spin. After that it is either France or USA in the semis...long way to go to get there. Apparently Norwegian media claim both stopping Sam is the key, and that it will be a tough game. I think if Norway concentrate too much on Kerr, Foord and Logarzo will make them pay.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Agree in principle although people don't generally vote based off sporting ground funding ;-) Port Macquarie article yesterday stating a lack of facilities for hosting professional sports probably highlights standards of regional facilities let alone suburban grounds in non-capital cities like Newcastle. I also saw on SM some complaints of the slope of grandstands at the new SFS - like actually not being different and steeper... Anyway state funding that still centralises to the main city is perhaps a legacy from federation that needs to go, and more effort from regional councils to build up locally.
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
I've just seen that if we beat Norway, we play England or Cameron in the quarters. So Semis should be the goal
Punter
Roar Rookie
Yes I know you have been calling this out for a awhile now in your posts, I don't watch as much W league as you do & always interested in your comments about the women's game. I was amazed how much my girls were into the World cup, these are not elite girls, AL3s, they are actually all mums enjoying football late in their lifes, but they are totally absorbed by it & the first ten or so minutes at training, was not about their families or anything else it was all football. They love Elle Carpenter (of course Sam as well). Amazing!!!!
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Bingo Mike, we need to have fun and enjoyment back in Football ... great article..
Tyke
Roar Rookie
If you haven’t been able to find positive viewpoints on Australian football or enjoy it where it stands, that’s on you. Yes the game has it issues as all do, I personally see great potential in those challenges.