In a display of her trademark big-game prowess, Matildas skipper Sam Kerr has powered Chelsea into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women's Champions League with a decisive headed winner. The Australian superstar's goal completed a 2-1 comeback victory over German giants VfL Wolfsburg on Wednesday night, cementing the Blues' place in the final eight of the revamped competition.
Kerr Reaches Milestone in Dramatic Fashion
The match-winning moment arrived in the second half when Kerr expertly guided a looping header into the net. This significant goal was not just a match-winner; it marked a personal milestone for the captain. Sam Kerr became the first Australian player, and only the second Chelsea footballer ever, to score 20 goals in the Women's Champions League. Her return to scoring form is particularly heartening for Australian fans, as she continues to build fitness and sharpness following a lengthy rehabilitation from an ACL injury and a subsequent calf issue.
"It's been good," Kerr told CBS post-match, reflecting on her managed return. "It's been obviously a little bit tricky. Every player wants to play all the time and I've had to be managed a little bit which has been difficult. But I felt good now - the last couple of weeks especially I've felt more like myself." She added that she is now able to focus on playing football rather than just maintaining fitness.
Chelsea's Comeback Seals Direct Qualification
The path to victory was not straightforward for the English champions. Wolfsburg dominated early proceedings at the AOK Stadion and took a deserved lead in the 16th minute. German international Alexandra Popp capitalised on a poor clearance from Chelsea goalkeeper Livia Peng to lash the ball home. Chelsea, with Kerr well-contained early, looked lacklustre.
The tide turned just before halftime when England defender Lucy Bronze rose to nod home an Erin Cuthbert corner. The comeback was completed in the second half following a dynamic sequence started by Bronze. She won possession and found Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, who beat her defender before lofting a cross into the area. Kerr shrugged off her marker and connected perfectly with a brilliant header to seal the 2-1 victory.
This result means Chelsea, as one of the top four-ranked teams behind Barcelona, Lyon, and Bayern Munich, progress directly to the quarter-finals, bypassing the new playoff round.
Mixed Fortunes for Other Aussies in Europe
The matchday also had implications for other Australian players in the competition. Fellow Matilda Teagan Micah was an unused substitute for Lyon as the French side secured direct qualification by beating Atletico Madrid 4-0 to lock in second place in their group.
For the Australian contingent at Arsenal—Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, and Kyra Cooney-Cross—the news was less positive. Despite a 3-0 away win over Belgian club Oud-Heverlee Leuven, the Gunners finished fifth in their group. They will now have to navigate a two-legged playoff to reach the last eight. In that match, Cooney-Cross appeared to have set up Foord for a goal in the 67th minute, which was initially ruled offside. A VAR review overturned the decision, but the goal was ultimately awarded as an own goal.
Elsewhere, Barcelona beat Paris FC 2-0 and Bayern Munich eliminated Valerenga with a 3-0 win to also secure their quarter-final berths. Kerr's timely return to peak form, evidenced by a goal assist against Brighton and a brace against St Poelten last month, provides a massive confidence boost for the Matildas as crucial home Asian Cup preparations continue.
