Matildas star Sam Kerr hugs football girlfriend Kristie Mewis after taking World Cup bow in Australia’s victory over Denmark

Sam Kerr made a triumphant return to the pitch for Australia’s victory at the Denmark World Cup and was rewarded with a big hug from her full-time football friend Kristie Mewis.

Kerr, 29, has struggled with a calf problem to play for Tony Gustavsson’s side at the tournament, having skipped the first three games to recover from the injury he suffered on the eve of the opening game against Ireland.

The Matildas captain is eager to play a role for the co-hosts, who are one of the strongest remaining teams in the league following the departure of the US, Brazil and Germany.

And on Monday, Gustavsson sent Stadium Australia into a frenzy after sending off Kerr for the final 10 minutes of the Matildas’ 2-0 win.

Kerr’s performance was mixed, sending the ball out of play when he intended to pass to a teammate, testing the goalkeeper with a raspy effort before falling awkwardly to the turf after a struggle for a high ball.

Kerr first took the field at the World Cup in Australia’s victory over Denmark

But it was all smiles at full time and Kerr was congratulated by her soccer friend Mewis, who plays for the US women’s national team, who watched from the stands.

The football power couple shared a big hug in heartwarming scenes.

After the game, Kerr revealed that she could play in the final group game against Canada, but that was the dominant performance of her teammates that Gustavsson did not need her services.

“It was amazing,” she told Channel Seven. “Obviously it’s a big game for us. Bit unnerving. I’m not the best bank player in the world, nervous.

“The girls broke it. They’ve done an incredible job this week. To get that performance after a big game is amazing.

“I wanted to play the last game, but the girls crushed it. They didn’t need me.

“Today there was a chance I wouldn’t play if the girls broke it. We thought it was best for me and the team, and the girls absolutely killed it. I am so proud of them.

“Coming in, personally, it was a big relief after three big weeks.

“Believe it or not, we really have a plan. The plan was just to warm up. Once we scored, it was kind of like a breather. Take it easy. When I was ready to come, the coaches called me. I was done. 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

Mewis is a star on the US women’s national team, but her team is out of the World Cup

It is believed that Sam and Kristie started dating almost three years ago, when pictures emerged showing them bonding after an Australia vs. USA match at the Tokyo Olympics.

One of the biggest power couples in female sports knows how to keep the spark alive when it comes to a long-distance relationship, and she loves to share that spark with fans, friends, and fellow soccer stars.

“We are not private individuals. I like to share my story. I like to share who I am outside of football. Football is 5 percent of my life,” Kerr told British publication Gaffer earlier this year.

“We set little milestones and we set aside time during the week to watch the same show and FaceTime or have dinner together or something. But it is difficult.

“I think what 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 have a long-distance relationship with someone who doesn’t understand the sport.”

Mewis said it was special for the couple to be role models for gay women who are not coming out for fear of homophobic abuse or society’s rejection.

“I think if we’re just dating and being two girls in love, I think if we can change one or two people’s lives and the way they feel about each other and how comfortable they feel, that means a lot to me . I like to share my relationship on social media,” said the American star.