Matildas Abroad Review: Kerr scores the matchwinner in the Women's FA Cup Semi-Final

Sam Kerr scored the matchwinner to help Chelsea book their spot in the Women's FA Cup Final, with the defending champions taking on Manchester United in the final next month. 

Read our review of the action below. 

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England

Kicking off in Manchester, Lydia Williams' Brighton & Hove Albion faced ladder leaders Manchester United for a place in the Women's FA Cup Final. The Seagulls were able to keep the Reds at bay, with Williams keeping out Alessia Russo's attempt just before the half-hour mark. 

Brighton took a 1-0 lead going into the break after Veatriki Sarri's attempt was parried into the goal by Mary Earps. United found the equaliser just after the break with Leah Galton adding her name to the scoresheet, scoring from close range. Russo finally got her goal in the 71st minute, giving Manchester the lead. 

Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper Lydia Williams makes a save during the Vitality Women s FA Cup, semi-final match at Leigh Sports Village, Leigh.
Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper Lydia Williams makes a save during the Vitality Women's FA Cup, semi-final match at Leigh Sports Village, Leigh.

The Seagulls found the equaliser four minutes later through Danielle Carter, however, Manchester United would retake the lead once again through Rachel Williams to book their spot in the final. 

Next up, defending FA Women's Cup champions, Sam Kerr's Chelsea, booked their spot in the final after a 1-0 win over Aston Villa, with Kerr scoring the matchwinner. 

After a goalless first half, Chelsea took the lead in the match with Guro Reiten finding Kerr at the back post who headed home the opener. 

Sam Kerr celebrates after scoring their side s first goal of the game during the Vitality Women s FA Cup, semi-final match at the Poundland Bescot Stadium, Walsall.
Sam Kerr celebrates after scoring Chelsea's first goal of the game during the Vitality Women's FA Cup, semi-final match at the Poundland Bescot Stadium, Walsall.

Zećira Mušović made a fantastic save to deny Carla Ward's side late to secure a 1-0 victory and will be looking to lift their third consecutive FA Cup title. 

USA

Over to the NWSL, Alex Chidiac's Racing Louisville was unable to hold on to secure the win, clinching a 2-2 draw against Angel City. 

Savannah DeMelo opened the scoring early for Racing, finding the back of the net from the spot in the 3rd minute. Kirsten Davis Wright doubled the visitors' advantage just before the break to give Lousiville a 2-0 lead. 

Angel City FC midfielder Dani Weatherholt (17) takes a shot against Racing Louisville FC midfielder Lauren Milliet (2) as midfielder Alex Chidiac (27) defends in the second half at BMO Stadium. Los Angeles
Angel City FC midfielder Dani Weatherholt takes a shot against Racing Louisville FC midfielder Lauren Milliet as midfielder Alex Chidiac defends in the second half at BMO Stadium, Los Angeles.

Angel City fought back to half the deficit, with Katie Johnson finding her second goal in as many games. Savannah McCaskill found the equaliser in the 87th minute to see Racing collect their third draw of the season. Chidiac came off the bench in the 79th minute. 

Next, Emily Van Egmond's San Diego Wave FC faced their first defeat of the season after back-to-back wins, going down 1-0 to OL Reign. 

Reign took the lead in dramatic fashion, scoring a 95th-minute matchwinner through Olivia Van der Jagt. Van Egmond did not feature in the match for Casey Stoney's side. 

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France

In France, Ellie Carpenter's Lyon maintained their lead at the top of the table with a 2-0 win over Paris FC. 

Vanessa Gilles opened the scoring for Lyon just 15 minutes into the game, with Signe Bruun doubling their advantage in the final minutes of the game to secure the win. 

Carpenter played the full match for Lyon, with the side looking to end their season on a high with three games remaining in the D1 season. 

Sweden

In Sweden, Teagan Micah's FC Rosengård are still in search of their first win of the season after going down 2-1 to Djurgården. 

The home side took the lead just after the break, with Hayley Dowd scoring the opener. Djurgården doubled their advantage with Matilda Plan getting her name on the scoresheet.

Rosengård scored a goal in the 95th minute through Olivia Schough but was unable to clinch the equaliser. Micah did not appear in the matchday squad.

Hammarbys Kyra Cooney Cross center and Växjös Alexandra Jonasson tv during Saturdays soccer match in the Womens Swedish League between Hammarby IF and Växjö DFF at Hammarby
Hammarby's Kyra Cooney-Cross during Saturday's match in the Women's Swedish League between Hammarby IF and Växjö DFF at Hammarby.

Next up, Kyra Cooney-Cross' Hammarby continued their perfect start for the season to make it three consecutive wins when they collected a 6-1 win over Växjö DFF. 

Hammarby had four different goalscorers, and one own goal to Växjö to see out the 6-1 win. 

Lastly, Clare Polkinghorne, Katrina Gorry and Charli Grant's Vittsjö GIK went down 3-0 to Aivi Luik's BK Häcken. All four Aussies started for their respective clubs, with Gorry forced off with a shoulder injury in the 85th minute of the game. 

Grant was named Player of the Match for Vittsjö GIK in their defeat. 

Norway

Our last stop takes us to Norway where Tameka Yallop and Larissa Crummer's SK Brann recorded a 0-0 draw with LSK Kvinner. 

 Larissa Crummer of Brann during the Toppserien football match between LSK Kvinner and Brann on April 15, 2023 in Lillestrom
Larissa Crummer of Brann during the Toppserien football match between LSK Kvinner and Brann on April 15, 2023, in Lillestrom.

Crummer made her starting debut for Brann, while Yallop did not feature in the matchday squad.