For Sam Kerr, as for Australia, this win over Denmark went exactly as planned.
The Australian megastar and owner of the world’s most talked about calf muscle came on for her first minutes in the World Cup she had played a lead role in selling as her team moved through to a quarter-final.
Against Canada she was not required, but even as the Matildas coasted towards another famous victory, the decision was made to get minutes in Kerr’s legs.
She conceded it was a relief to finally play a part in the tournament after watching on for the three group stage matches.
“Yeah, it was amazing. Obviously It’s a big game for us so a bit nerve-wracking, I’m not the best bench player in the world — I get nervous — but the girls smashed it,” Kerr told Channel 7.
“They’ve done unbelievable this week and to put in that performance after a big game against Canada, it’s amazing.
“I was actually going to play last game, but the girls smashed it so they didn’t need me and then I thought, might as well give it a rest.
“Even today there was the opportunity that I wouldn’t play if the girls smashed it, but we thought it was best for me and the team and the girls absolutely killed it.
“For me coming on as well it was a big relief, it’s been a big three weeks.”
There was one brief scare for Australia in her 15-minute cameo, Kerr slipped awkwardly in the box, limped and appeared to clutch at her groin region, but was right to carry on.
Kerr went through an extensive warm-up before coming on, including at half time, which she revealed was also just part of the recovery process.
“That was always the plan, coming out at half time for a warm up, believe it or not we actually have a plan,” she said.
“The plan was just to warm up and then once they scored it was a bit of a breather and take it slow.
“I feel good, I think I was a little bit rusty, but I felt great. I will sleep better tonight than I have the last two weeks.”
Kerr also shared just how passionate the Australian public has been as the team prepares for an even bigger match on Saturday night, left as one of just eight teams in the tournament and set to face either France or Morocco.
“I’m so proud of them,” she said.
“I think the girls are just doing what we’ve always done and the crowd just gets us over the line.
“Whenever we play at home we always show up and it’s nice we’re in our own backyard, we feel comfortable and this team has so much belief and I think you can see that out on the pitch.
“I think we’re embracing it, the Australian public has been amazing, on the street, making us coffee — whoever it is — they have all got behind us, we have felt the love and just walking down the street it has been a real buzz.
“I’m embracing it, we’re loving it and hopefully we can keep pushing on.”