SM
Watford vs. Oxford Utd: 12 hrs 47 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
FN
Women's World Cup | Quarter-Finals
Jun 28, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
UN

1-2

Renard (81')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Rapinoe (5', 65')

USA eliminate hosts France to set up World Cup semi-final with England

:Headline: Result: USA eliminate hosts France to set up World Cup semi-final with England: ID:363261: from db_amp
The defending champions ended the run of hosts France.

Megan Rapinoe did her talking on the pitch on Friday night as her two goals sunk hosts France and booked the United States a semi-final showdown with England at the Women's World Cup.

The 33-year-old scored in either half as the holders sealed a 2-1 win in Paris to set up a meeting with Phil Neville's side in Lyon on Tuesday.

Wendie Renard headed a late reply to ensure a tense finale, but the US survived, with their win also guaranteeing Great Britain qualification for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Megan Rapinoe celebrates putting the United States 2-0 up (Francisco Seco/AP).

The build up to the match had been dominated by a row between Rapinoe and US President Donald Trump after footage shot earlier this year emerged of her saying "I'm not going to the f***ing White House" when she was asked if she would visit should her team be victorious at the World Cup.

Rapinoe, who is gay, has previously accused Trump of being "sexist" and "misogynistic" and she refuses to sing the national anthem before matches. Trump this week launched his own attack on Rapinoe on Twitter, accusing her of disrespect.

However, she was in the spotlight for her form on the pitch on Friday night and took just five minutes to make her mark.

Griedge Mbock fouled Alex Morgan down the left side and Rapinoe took the resulting free-kick. She fired the ball right-footed towards the near post and it sailed through a crowded six-yard box and into the net without taking a touch off anyone.

France were stunned but enjoyed much of the ball thereafter without really troubling goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. At the other end, Morgan worked Sarah Bouhaddi with a low shot from just inside the area.

Eugenie Le Sommer missed the target with a couple of headed efforts, but the US looked more likely to score again and Sam Mewis brought a decent save from Bouhaddi early in the second half, with the France goalkeeper then denying Tobin Heath with her foot on the rebound.

Rapinoe doubled the lead after 65 minutes after Heath did the hard work down the right and her low cross was missed by Renard, leaving the arriving Rapinoe to tap in at the far post.

It was virtually one-way traffic after that as France fought hard to get back into the match and keep alive their World Cup dream.

Naeher did well to tip Le Sommer's looping toe-poke over the crossbar before the hosts were rewarded for their pressure with nine minutes remaining when Renard headed into the roof of the net from a free-kick out on the left.

The US withstood some relentless pressure in the final minutes, as well as a penalty appeal that was not referred to VAR when the ball struck Kelley O'Hara's arm which was by her side.

But they survived and the defence of their title will continue against England.

amp_article__363261 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-06-28 21:45:14:
html db last update - 2019-06-28 21:45:14 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .