Australia's Sam Kerr continues scoring run with match-winning brace vs. Chile

Sam Kerr has continued her incredible goalscoring run by netting both of Australia's goals in an unconvincing 2-1 friendly win over Chile in Sydney.

Playing in front of a record domestic home crowd of 20,029 at Bankwest Stadium, Kerr rewarded them on Saturday afternoon by scoring in each half.

Her brace means the Matildas' skipper now has 40 goals in her past 40 games for either club -- Perth in the W-League and Chicago in the NWSL -- or country. She also has 38 goals in green-and-gold, surpassing legend Cheryl Salisbury into third on the Matildas' goalscoring list.

"If you watch her on TV, be happy. If you get to see her in real life, it's an amazing experience. I'm glad people got to witness it," Matildas coach Ante Milicic said. "It's a pleasure for us as coaching staff to work with her to get better.

"She's very ambitious. She's the type that will be upset that she hasn't got another match ball to go with the one against Jamaica."

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But, playing in their first game since their disappointing June World Cup exit in France, Kerr's heroics failed to mask a frustrating afternoon in front of goal.

Australia's 16 shots on goal doubled that of their counterparts, and included a number of looks from point-blank range. Their wastefulness left the door open for a Chilean comeback, which was given life when Camila Saez nodded home in the waning moments of the match. However, the Matildas held on, and their two-game series with the world No.37 moves to Adelaide on Tuesday. Milicic admitted being frustrated with their lack of ruthlessness.

"Maybe I'm asking a lot after the time that we have off and we haven't been together (for long)," he said. "But still pleasing because I think this team really benefits from the attacking style and they create a lot of chances."

Milicic made three changes from the team outed by Norway at the round-of-16 stage in France, including the debut of code-hopper Jenna McCormick.

The home side dominated from the kick-off, with Kerr driving home in just the third minute after Chile failed to clear a swinging Emily Van Egmond free kick. The ball bounced up off Kerr's thigh, and the Europe-bound striker fired into the bottom right corner past a helpless Christiane Endler.

Kerr's presence was felt early. She put one on a platter that Clare Polkinghorne fluffed inside the six-yard box, before Kerr had an airswing at a low Ellie Carpenter cross. Chile weren't without their chances, and even put the ball in the net in the 13th minute from a Saez volley but it was ruled out for offside.

Their best opportunity came in the 33rd minute when a sweeping movement parlayed into a Daniela Pardo effort from outside the box.

Australia settled into their groove in the second half and went two ahead on a Caitlin Foord long ball put away by Kerr in the 72nd minute.