Australia’s golden girl Sam Kerr was forced to defend her sexuality online after she was attacked with a homophobic slur on Twitter just moments after helping the Matildas beat Brazil in the World Cup.

Instead of celebrating the side’s 3-2 win, the 25-year-old striker was dealing with a vile post by anonymous user EnemyOne who told Kerr: “By the way your dyke ass was offside.”

The offensive tweet was made in response to the role Kerr played in the Matildas’ match-winning goal, where she started in an offside position.

Many on social media leapt to Kerr’s defence and praised her for calling out the troll.

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“We’ve escalated this report Sam. Sorry this happened,” Twitter Sports Australia posted.

Only hours earlier, Kerr was being slammed for offensive language in her post-match TV interview where she told critics of the team to “suck on that one”. She said the team did not listen to the “haters” after their first round loss to Italy.

“I’m so proud of the girls,” Kerr said. “There were a lot of critics talking about us but we’re back, so suck on that one.

Camera Icon Sam Kerr in action during her World Cup match against Brazil. Credit: Getty Images

“It’s just outside noise, we don’t listen to the haters. The reaction from the girls, you can see what it means to us.

“We haven’t been reading (the criticism) but at the end of the day you can feel it.”

Matildas great Heather Garriock said Kerr’s post-match comment “came from a bitter place” and overshadowed the stunning victory against Brazil.

“It’s disappointing that her comments, that weren’t humble, have overshadowed our comeback and victory,” Garriock said.

Earlier this year, Kerr was made the Matilda’s captain. The striker also signed a big sponsorship deal with Nike that will see her become the first female footballer in the country to earn more than $1 million in a year.

She recently won the WA Sports Star of the Year award.