Everything had been going so well. Australia was in the process of smoothly, confidently ending Denmark’s stay at the World Cup, claiming the prize of a place in the quarterfinals in the process.
Sam Kerr, the player whose injury-enforced absence has hung heavy over Australia for the last two weeks or so, had returned to action, and Stadium Australia was crackling with glee at the sight of the country’s great star clad once again in green and gold. It was all starting to come together. The place tingled with possibility.
And then Kerr fell over. She had been contesting a high ball, but had not quite arranged her feet in the correct manner.