Sam Kerr Tony Gustavsson Steph Catley Star Australia Canada Ireland Nigeria Football FIFA composer UPS performer cup Sam Kerr Tony Gustavsson Steph Catley Star Australia Canada Ireland Nigeria

FIFA Women's World Cup Matildas star Steph Catley displaying 'clutch gene' - ESPN

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As the world became enraptured with the 'will she play or won't she play' saga surrounding Sam Kerr's troublesome calf, Steph Catley went about her business for Australia.

Without much fanfare, and with even less fuss, the 29-year-old defender stepped up to don the armband and lead the Matildas into the knockout stages of the FIFA Women's World Cup.

When the side needed her, she was there. Catley's 52nd-minute penalty rescued things against Republic of Ireland in Australia's opening game of the tournament, as the prospect of commencing a home World Cup with a damp squib of a result against pugnacious opponents began to threaten.

Rifled into the net, it was an effectively unstoppable effort, which became more contextually impressive as the tournament featured a wave of missed and fluffed penalties in the days that followed.

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