Australia goes to Kerr-Azy after a four-goal World Cup blitz

(Reuters) – Sam Kerr received a tribute Wednesday in Australia after the captain-striker became the first player in the country, man or woman, to score a hat trick at the World Cup in a four-goal Jamaican blitz.

Kerr did it all alone in Grenoble on Tuesday, leading the Socceroos to a 4-1 win against Reggae Girlz and 16 clashes against Norway.

Former Australian striker Tim Cahill, the country's most prolific striker with 50 goals in 108 games, congratulated social media.

"Mbadive result," tweeted Cahill with a bunch of emoticons of applause. "Congratulations Matildas and Sam Kerr with 4 goals".

Kerr scored his first two goals with two well-made first-half goals and took advantage of two defensive fouls after the break, while Jamaica goalkeeper Nicole McClure wrapped it up for the fourth time with a failed pbad attempt .

Kerr, 25, now has five goals to tie Alex Morgan in the Golden Boot race.

Cahill, who retired from international football after the Men's World Cup last year, was known for his fatal headlines. Kerr's efforts against Jamaica allowed local comparators to make comparisons on Wednesday.

"This was the best individual performance of his career at Matildas, and probably the biggest single show of any Australian player," Fairfax football reporter Michael Lynch wrote on Wednesday.

Kerr joked that she was pursuing Cahill's "course record".

"I grew up watching Timmy Cahill. Headers are my favorite goals. I think that comes naturally to me, I know it's one of my strengths, so I try to work a little on it, "she said.

"Maybe it comes from an AFL (Australian football) background and it's going up there."

Kerr's five goals for the tournament allowed former teammate Lisa De Vanna to win the previous Australian record of four at a World Cup final in 2007.

The Americans Michelle Akers (1991) and Morgan, who scored five goals in Thailand's 13-0 defeat, scored more goals in a Women's World Cup match.

Jamaica coach Hue Menzies was left dazzled by Kerr's display.

"I told her after the game," you were just good at sitting and watching. "I would pay to come and watch her, it's just something she has in her and she takes her team with her," he said. said Menzies.

Despite the easy win, Kerr and Australia remained energized as she risked third place after substitute Havana Solaun scored Jamaica's first goal after half-time at the World Cup .

Kerr's company allowed Australia to finish in second place and pushed Brazil, third, in a difficult confrontation last 16 against the heavyweights of France or Germany.

Australia was criticized after being upset by Italy 2-1 in their opening match, and the Matildas needed an epic 3-2 win over Brazil to stabilize their tournament.

Kerr, a defiant, told the critics to "suck that one" after Brazil's victory, a response that was uncomfortable for some media reporters at home.

After his masterclbad in Jamaica, there was nothing but praise for it.

"It's a special and in the end, I'm lucky not only of the win, but if there's a player for whom you're really happy to score, that's Sammy," he said. said coach Ante Milicic.

"As an Australian football community, we should be grateful to see one of the best players in the world live."