Sam Kerr was named player of the match after scoring two of Chelsea’s three goals, leading the team to win the FA Cup against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium.
The Matildas captain scored twice in the second half, following on from teammate Fran Kirby’s goal in the opening minutes of the first half. The 3-0 win secured the FA cup for Chelsea, after the final match had been delayed from the 2020/21 season.
With the win, Sam Kerr has become only the second Australian woman to be part of an FA Cup winning team.
“I think we deserved it,” Kerr told the BBC following the win.
“I think we played really well, as we have done in the past few weeks. We kind of went in as underdogs so we had a point to prove and we are buzzing.
“I’m paid to score goals but our defence was amazing and it was a team effort, I can’t wait to party.”
Chelsea’s manager Emma Hayes told the media after the win that she thought Sam Kerr and her teammate Fran Kirby were “out of this world”.
“Kerr wondered how she would cope in the English game. As far as I’m concerned, she’s the best striker in the world,” Hayes said.
“She’s courageous and full of confidence, can do that after getting off a plane from Australia on Thursday.”
The final was played in front of a crowd of 40,942 people, and Australia’s Kerr was (as per usual) a crowd favourite, and was given a standing ovation when she was substituted late on in the match.
The match was played on the 100th anniversary of the English FA prohibiting professional women’s football in 1921. At the time, the sport was considered unsuitable for women, and the ban lasted nearly fifty years before the women’s game was reinstated in 1970.
The FA Cup victory for Chelsea completes a treble for the side, having also won last season’s Women’s Super League title and the League Cup. They also reached the Champions League final.
“To think we are treble winners, it is an amazing achievement,” said Emma Hayes. “You can’t ask any more from the players and I am extremely proud of them, the staff and the club.
“We have built this team over a long period of time and I think today we showed why we are champions.”
Speaking afterwards, Kerr said the Chelsea side was “so special”.
“Every single player is an international player, we’ve got so many captains in the team but we are all humble people which makes it amazing to play for. Emma’s a great coach and everyone fights for each other,” she said.
“I feel the love from Australia, I love that people are sending me messages and especially my family at home, hello! I wish they could be here but hopefully staying up late, the performance made it worth it.”