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| USA edge past gritty Spain to set up mouthwatering quarter-final with France | USA edge past gritty Spain to set up mouthwatering quarter-final with France |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The hype around the US at this World Cup finally appears to be waning, even as the Americans beat a resilient Spain side 2-1 on Monday with the help of two penalties. Both spot kicks were scored by Megan Rapinoe to put the Americans through and negate a mistake in the American back line that gifted Spain their goal. The reigning champions now move on to the quarter-finals, where they will face hosts France on Friday in a clash of arguably the two strongest teams left in the tournament. | |
| Spain 1-2 USA: Women's World Cup last 16 – live! | Spain 1-2 USA: Women's World Cup last 16 – live! |
| It took just seven minutes for the Americans to open the scoring, and it initially looked like they were on their way to another dominant victory. Spain midfielder Mapi León took Tobin Heath down in the box, and Rapinoe calmly stepped up to slot the penalty home. | |
| But just a couple of minutes later, the Americans were culpable in blowing their lead. Alyssa Naeher came well out of her goal and passed the ball to Becky Sauerbrunn, who was dispossessed by Spain forward Lucia Garcia. The toe-poked ball ended up at the feet of Jenni Hermoso, who fired past an out-of-position Naeher. | But just a couple of minutes later, the Americans were culpable in blowing their lead. Alyssa Naeher came well out of her goal and passed the ball to Becky Sauerbrunn, who was dispossessed by Spain forward Lucia Garcia. The toe-poked ball ended up at the feet of Jenni Hermoso, who fired past an out-of-position Naeher. |
| The blame for the goal lay with both Naeher, who should have picked out a better pass, and Sauerbrunn, who needed to be aware of the pressure on her and move the ball more quickly. But Naeher’s error was in keeping with concerns going into this tournament that the Americans have failed to discover an heir to Hope Solo. Naeher had a gaff in the USA’s game against Chile as well, but the goal conceded then was ruled offside. | The blame for the goal lay with both Naeher, who should have picked out a better pass, and Sauerbrunn, who needed to be aware of the pressure on her and move the ball more quickly. But Naeher’s error was in keeping with concerns going into this tournament that the Americans have failed to discover an heir to Hope Solo. Naeher had a gaff in the USA’s game against Chile as well, but the goal conceded then was ruled offside. |
| The Americans found the game winner in the second half, however. And, in keeping with the theme of this World Cup, it involved some VAR controversy. In the 71st minute, Virginia Torrecilla made contact with Rose Lavelle and after a lengthy review, VAR determined the penalty called on the field should stand. Rapinoe scored an almost identical penalty to her first. | The Americans found the game winner in the second half, however. And, in keeping with the theme of this World Cup, it involved some VAR controversy. In the 71st minute, Virginia Torrecilla made contact with Rose Lavelle and after a lengthy review, VAR determined the penalty called on the field should stand. Rapinoe scored an almost identical penalty to her first. |
| Golden Boot Standings: top scorers for France 2019 World Cup | |
| Coming into the match against Spain, the Americans had looked unstoppable, scoring 18 goals and conceding none in the group stage. But Thailand and Chile are minnows compared to the No 1-ranked Americans, and Sweden fielded a mostly second-string team. | Coming into the match against Spain, the Americans had looked unstoppable, scoring 18 goals and conceding none in the group stage. But Thailand and Chile are minnows compared to the No 1-ranked Americans, and Sweden fielded a mostly second-string team. |
| USA manager Jill Ellis went with her first-choice starting lineup against Spain, except for midfielder Lindsey Horan, who was held out in place of Samantha Mewis. US Soccer called it a “coach’s decision” and said Horan wasn’t injured. But Horan is on a yellow card, and would have missed the quarter-final if she had been booked again. It was a deserved start for Mewis, who has been very good in the minutes she has played in this tournament so far. But the decision to omit Horan could be viewed as overconfidence on the part of Ellis. | USA manager Jill Ellis went with her first-choice starting lineup against Spain, except for midfielder Lindsey Horan, who was held out in place of Samantha Mewis. US Soccer called it a “coach’s decision” and said Horan wasn’t injured. But Horan is on a yellow card, and would have missed the quarter-final if she had been booked again. It was a deserved start for Mewis, who has been very good in the minutes she has played in this tournament so far. But the decision to omit Horan could be viewed as overconfidence on the part of Ellis. |
| The trouble the Americans had against Spain will surely rub some of the shine off their impressive performances in the World Cup so far. It is perhaps lucky for the Americans that the side they face next, France, were hardly convincing winners against Brazil on Sunday. | The trouble the Americans had against Spain will surely rub some of the shine off their impressive performances in the World Cup so far. It is perhaps lucky for the Americans that the side they face next, France, were hardly convincing winners against Brazil on Sunday. |
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