SAM KERR put aside her World Cup heartache with an incredible display of class after Australia’s defeat to England.
The co-hosts’ dreams of lifting the trophy on home soil ended on Wednesday when they were dumped out of the tournament at the semi-final stage.
The Aussies suffered a 3-1 defeat to the roaring Lionesses, who are on the brink of winning their second successive trophy in as many tournaments.
Kerr – who levelled the scores in the second half with a stunning strike from distance – cut a dejected figure but composed herself to congratulate the opposition.
Her biggest embrace was for Chelsea team-mate and best pal Millie Bright.
The pair had a moment on the pitch after the final whistle, with Bright consoling her Blues team-mate.
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But, according to The Daily Mail, they had a heartwarming moment off camera, which resulted in Kerr gifting Bright her match top.
Bright had no issue putting aside her friendship with Kerr as the match kicked off, saying: “I love Sam but as soon as you step over that white line, she’s the opponent.
“For me, it doesn’t matter what happens away from here, she’s an opponent and there’s a job to be done.
“It was a very different story after the game, though.”
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Bright donned Kerr’s Matlidas top in her post-match interview with Channel 7.
She revealed: “I’ve been after this shirt for a long time.
“She is an incredible player and world-class.
“She gets one moment and it’s in the back of the net.
“In football, we always have huge amounts of respect for our opponents.
“And some of our opponents are more than that, they are friends as well.”
England will bid to end 57 years of World Cup hurt on Sunday afternoon when they face Spain at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk