The tension inside the Juventus Stadium in Turin was palpable as the 2022 UEFA Women’s Champions League Final unfolded. Chelsea and Barcelona, two giants of European women’s football, had gone toe-to-toe for nearly an hour, both teams fighting tooth and nail for the ultimate prize. The scoreline remained tight, with Barcelona leading 1-0 after an early goal, but Chelsea were not giving up. Sam Kerr, their talismanic striker, could feel the game turning in their favor.
Chelsea's manager, Emma Hayes, shouted instructions from the touchline, urging her players to press higher, to push harder. Kerr, ever the opportunist, was ready. This was her stage, the kind of moment she thrived in. She’d been here before, in the biggest games, with the biggest stakes. The Australian striker could sense that her moment was coming.
In the 68th minute, the chance arrived. Jessie Fleming, cool and composed in midfield, intercepted a misplaced Barcelona pass and surged forward. Fleming threaded a perfectly weighted ball between two Barcelona defenders, splitting the backline. Kerr’s eyes lit up. She darted forward, her pace electric, leaving her markers trailing.
The crowd roared as Kerr bore down on goal. Sandra Paños, Barcelona’s goalkeeper, rushed out to close the angle, but Kerr was ice-cool. With one touch, she dinked the ball over Paños, the chip perfectly executed. The ball floated in slow motion, dropping just under the crossbar and into the net.
The stadium erupted. Blue shirts flooded toward Kerr, but she had one thing on her mind: her celebration. She sprinted toward the corner flag, adrenaline surging through her veins. Then, as the cheers reached their peak, she launched herself into the air, twisting her body in perfect motion. Her backflip landed flawlessly, drawing even louder cheers from the Chelsea fans who had traveled to Turin.
It was vintage Sam Kerr—a goal of sublime quality followed by a celebration that embodied her fearless, joyful approach to the game. Her teammates reached her, piling on in celebration, their energy matching hers. For a brief moment, it felt like Chelsea were unstoppable, the momentum shifting firmly in their favor.
The commentators couldn’t contain their excitement. “Sam Kerr does it again! What a goal, and what a celebration! She lives for these moments!”
As the match resumed, Chelsea fought with renewed vigor. Kerr’s goal had lit a fire under the team, and they began to push Barcelona to their limits. While the Catalan side held firm and eventually edged the match 2-1 to retain the trophy, Kerr’s performance and iconic celebration were etched into the memories of fans and pundits alike.
In the post-match interview, Kerr was her usual charismatic self, smiling despite the defeat. “We came here to win, and we gave it everything. It wasn’t our night, but we’ll be back. That’s Chelsea. And yeah, the backflip? Gotta give the fans something to remember, right?” she said with a wink.
Though Chelsea fell short, Sam Kerr’s name dominated the headlines the next day. Her goal, her flip, her presence—they encapsulated everything that made her one of the best in the world. And for those who watched, it was a reminder that even in defeat, there could be moments of brilliance that transcend the final scoreline.
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WSL Oneshots
FanfictionA story of various one shots from across the WSL with some Lionesses and Matildas ones included too
