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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| USA beat Australia at Women's World Cup thanks to Megan Rapinoe's magic | USA beat Australia at Women's World Cup thanks to Megan Rapinoe's magic |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The so-called Group of Death looked like it could have been the group of defying expectations early on Monday. But magic from Megan Rapinoe on the wing carried the Americans to victory and dashed the Australians’ goal of upsetting the No2 team in the world. | The so-called Group of Death looked like it could have been the group of defying expectations early on Monday. But magic from Megan Rapinoe on the wing carried the Americans to victory and dashed the Australians’ goal of upsetting the No2 team in the world. |
| It was an even affair in the first half, but Rapinoe helped lead a second-half surge in typical USA fashion to secure a 3-1 win over Australia in front of 31,148 fans. | It was an even affair in the first half, but Rapinoe helped lead a second-half surge in typical USA fashion to secure a 3-1 win over Australia in front of 31,148 fans. |
| Rapinoe set up a Christen Press goal in the 61st minute with the game poised at 1-1. Rapinoe collected a long kick from goalkeeper Hope Solo and slipped it to Sydney Leroux out wide, who slid the ball into the middle of the box. Lying in wait and unmarked was Press, who placed her first-time shot into the net. Rapinoe then applied the killer blow shortly afterwards. In the 78th minute, she collected a bad giveaway in midfield, broke down the pitch, cut around the defense and finished the move off with a shot that went in off the far post. | Rapinoe set up a Christen Press goal in the 61st minute with the game poised at 1-1. Rapinoe collected a long kick from goalkeeper Hope Solo and slipped it to Sydney Leroux out wide, who slid the ball into the middle of the box. Lying in wait and unmarked was Press, who placed her first-time shot into the net. Rapinoe then applied the killer blow shortly afterwards. In the 78th minute, she collected a bad giveaway in midfield, broke down the pitch, cut around the defense and finished the move off with a shot that went in off the far post. |
| Related: USA v Australia: Women's World Cup 2015 – as it happened | Related: USA v Australia: Women's World Cup 2015 – as it happened |
| The USA’s scouting report heading into the game centered around Australia’s speed and the Matildas certainly used it to their advantage, threatening the Americans repeatedly on counterattacks. | The USA’s scouting report heading into the game centered around Australia’s speed and the Matildas certainly used it to their advantage, threatening the Americans repeatedly on counterattacks. |
| The Aussies broke through in the 23rd minute with Michelle Heyman laying the ball off to a wide open Lisa De Vanna on the right side of the box. American fullbacks who had been pushing forward in attack were caught out of position and chasing the ball on the counter. | The Aussies broke through in the 23rd minute with Michelle Heyman laying the ball off to a wide open Lisa De Vanna on the right side of the box. American fullbacks who had been pushing forward in attack were caught out of position and chasing the ball on the counter. |
| The Americans looked a bit flat in the attack early, turning the ball over easily. But a lucky deflection from Rapinoe put them ahead early. She collected a loose ball from a set piece in the 12th minute, deftly turned the defender and fired, with the shot ricocheting off Laura Alleway and past a wrongfooted Melissa Barbieri in the Aussie goal. | The Americans looked a bit flat in the attack early, turning the ball over easily. But a lucky deflection from Rapinoe put them ahead early. She collected a loose ball from a set piece in the 12th minute, deftly turned the defender and fired, with the shot ricocheting off Laura Alleway and past a wrongfooted Melissa Barbieri in the Aussie goal. |
| A minute later, Solo preserved the lead for the Americans with a diving effort to get a hand on a volley. Solo was called on twice in the first half to making diving saves, once tipping the ball onto the crossbar and away to safety. | A minute later, Solo preserved the lead for the Americans with a diving effort to get a hand on a volley. Solo was called on twice in the first half to making diving saves, once tipping the ball onto the crossbar and away to safety. |
| The USA’s star striker, Alex Morgan, wasn’t back to 100% fitness by Monday, having just participated in full training with the team only a couple days before, according to US Soccer and did not start. | The USA’s star striker, Alex Morgan, wasn’t back to 100% fitness by Monday, having just participated in full training with the team only a couple days before, according to US Soccer and did not start. |
| With the result, the Americans take sole possession of first place in Group D after one round of matches and they preserve an unbeaten streak against Australia. In the 24 previous meetings between these two sides, the Americans had won 22 and tied twice. | With the result, the Americans take sole possession of first place in Group D after one round of matches and they preserve an unbeaten streak against Australia. In the 24 previous meetings between these two sides, the Americans had won 22 and tied twice. |
| Group D had earlier on Monday gotten off to a wild start with underdog Nigeria coming back twice to draw with Sweden. | Group D had earlier on Monday gotten off to a wild start with underdog Nigeria coming back twice to draw with Sweden. |
| Up next, the Americans will face Sweden on Friday in Winnipeg while Australia will face Nigeria. |