Sam Kerr made a triumphant return to the pitch for Australia’s World Cup win over Denmark and she was rewarded with a big hug from her footballer girlfriend Kristie Mewis at full time.
Kerr, 29, has been battling a calf issue to feature for Tony Gustavsson’s side at the tournament, having skipped the first three games to recover from the injury picked up on the eve of the opening game against Ireland.
The Matildas captain has been chomping at the bit to play a part for the co-hosts, who are one of the strongest teams left in the competition following the exits of the US, Brazil and Germany.
And on Monday, Gustavsson sent Stadium Australia into raptures after sending Kerr on for the final 10 minutes of the Matildas’ 2-0 win.
Kerr had a mixed performance, sending the ball out of play when intending to pass to a teammate, testing the goalkeeper with a rasping effort before falling to the turf awkwardly after competing for a high ball.
![Sam Kerr received a hug from her girlfriend Kristie Mewis after the Matildas' win](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/07/14/74044777-12381149-image-a-4_1691415869628.jpg)
Sam Kerr received a hug from her girlfriend Kristie Mewis after the Matildas’ win
![Kerr took to the pitch for the first time at the World Cup in Australia's win over Denmark](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/07/14/74045417-12381149-image-a-5_1691415899561.jpg)
Kerr took to the pitch for the first time at the World Cup in Australia’s win over Denmark
But it was all smiles at full time and Kerr was congratulated by her footballer girlfriend Mewis, who plays for the US women’s team, who was watching on from the stands.
The football power couple shared a big hug in heartwarming scenes.
After the game, Kerr revealed that she was able to play in the final group game against Canada, but such was the dominant performance of her teammates, Gustavsson did not require her services.
‘It was amazing,’ she told Channel Seven. ‘Obviously it’s a big game for us. Bit nerve-racking. I’m not the best bench player in the world, nervous.
‘The girls smashed it. They’ve done unbelievable this week. To put in that performance after a big game is amazing.
‘I was going to play last game but the girls smashed it. They didn’t need me.
‘Today there was the opportunity that I wouldn’t play if the girls smashed it. We thought it was best for me and the team, and the girls absolutely killed it. I’m so proud of them.
‘Me coming on, personally, it was big relief after a big three weeks.
‘Believe it or not we actually have a plan. The plan was just to warm-up. Once we scored it was kind of like a bit of breather. Take it slow. When I was ready to come on the coaches called me. I was ready. It was a long warm-up. It was good in the end.’
![Kerr and Mewis have been dating since 2020 and the pair both play football](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/07/14/74045459-12381149-image-a-6_1691415958081.jpg)
Kerr and Mewis have been dating since 2020 and the pair both play football
![Mewis is a US women's national team star but her team are out of the World Cup](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/08/07/14/74045455-12381149-image-a-7_1691415961442.jpg)
Mewis is a US women’s national team star but her team are out of the World Cup
Sam and Kristie are understood to have started dating nearly three years ago, when photos emerged of them getting close following a match between Australia and the US at the Tokyo Olympics.
One of the biggest power couples in female sport knows how to keep the spark alive when it comes to a long-distance relationship, and she loves sharing said spark with fans, friends and fellow football stars.
‘We’re not private people. I like sharing my story. I like sharing who I am outside of football. Football is 5 per cent of my life,’ Kerr told UK publication, Gaffer, earlier this year.
‘We set little milestones and we make time during the week where we’ll watch the same show and FaceTime or have dinner together or something. But it’s tough.
‘I think the thing that keeps us going is that we can see an end point. We both just want each other to do so well in our careers. I don’t think you could be in a long-distance relationship with someone who didn’t get the sport.’
Mewis said it was special for the pair to be role models for gay women who don’t come out for fear of homophobic abuse or rejection by society.
‘I think just being out and being two girls in love, I think if we can change one or two people’s lives and the way that they feel about each other and how comfortable they feel, then that means a lot to me. I love to share my relationship on social media,’ the USA star said.