The Matildas stepped up in Kerr's absence to score an important 3 points in their group play! 💪⁣ •⁣ Co-hosts Australia laboured initially in the absence of injured captain Sam Kerr, but a second-half penalty from Steph Catley got them off to a solid start at the Women's World Cup with a 1-0 win over Ireland in Group B on Thursday. ⚽⁣ •⁣ The news that striker Kerr had been ruled out by a calf injury stunned the record crowd of 75,784 as it filtered into Stadium Australia but Catley stepped up to take the captain's armband and score the decisive goal in the 52nd minute. 🔥⁣ •⁣ It was tense, it was nervy, it was Kerr-less. But on Thursday the Matildas made history – as all those who came before told us they would. 🙌⁣ •⁣⁣ Want to stay up-to-date on all things FIFA WWC? Be sure to subscribe to our daily World Cup newsletter at the #linkinbio by subscribing to our normal 4x-weekly (forever free) sports newsletter today! 💌 #thegist⁣⁣ •⁣⁣ #womenssports #socccer #worldcup #breakingnews