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Women's World Cup: USA beat China 1-0 to reach semi-finals – as it happened Women's World Cup: USA beat China 1-0 to reach semi-finals – as it happened
(30 days later)
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02:4302:43
OK, we’re going to wrap this blog up. Well done to USA, and commiserations to China. Thanks for reading. Bye.OK, we’re going to wrap this blog up. Well done to USA, and commiserations to China. Thanks for reading. Bye.
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02:4002:40
Caitlin Murray was at the game in Ottawa: here’s her game report:Caitlin Murray was at the game in Ottawa: here’s her game report:
Related: Women's World Cup quarter-final | USA 1-0 ChinaRelated: Women's World Cup quarter-final | USA 1-0 China
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02:3002:30
Well played China, but they didn’t really show anything in attack. Wang Shanshan and Wang Lisi looked positive, but they’re essentially a defensive team, and once Lloyd scored, China didn’t look like responding.Well played China, but they didn’t really show anything in attack. Wang Shanshan and Wang Lisi looked positive, but they’re essentially a defensive team, and once Lloyd scored, China didn’t look like responding.
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02:2802:28
Here’s Jill Ellis:Here’s Jill Ellis:
“I think it was a highly energised performance, and created a lot of opportunities, so yeah, we’re really pelased. I thought Amy Rodriguez was fantastic tonight, I just thought overall the team played very well. It’s time to play. It’s kind of what we said: let’s put the group stage behind us, and let’s do this.”“I think it was a highly energised performance, and created a lot of opportunities, so yeah, we’re really pelased. I thought Amy Rodriguez was fantastic tonight, I just thought overall the team played very well. It’s time to play. It’s kind of what we said: let’s put the group stage behind us, and let’s do this.”
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02:2702:27
Just looking back at that goal: Lloyd got up really well. It was a nothing ball in from Johnston, but Lloyd did brilliantly.Just looking back at that goal: Lloyd got up really well. It was a nothing ball in from Johnston, but Lloyd did brilliantly.
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02:2402:24
Michael Phelps is happy:Michael Phelps is happy:
Congrats to @ussoccer_wnt !!! #usaCongrats to @ussoccer_wnt !!! #usa
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02:2202:22
Well, that was much easier than the score suggests. China just didn’t have enough. USA were comfortable. Next up: Germany!Well, that was much easier than the score suggests. China just didn’t have enough. USA were comfortable. Next up: Germany!
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02:2002:20
Full-time: China 0-1 USAFull-time: China 0-1 USA
90 min + 3: Pang fires from distance. It’s ambitious, and Solo fields with no drama. China just haven’t thrown enough players forward. And that’s it! USA go through!90 min + 3: Pang fires from distance. It’s ambitious, and Solo fields with no drama. China just haven’t thrown enough players forward. And that’s it! USA go through!
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02:1802:18
90 min + 2: No. It’s just not happening for the Chinese. A minute left.90 min + 2: No. It’s just not happening for the Chinese. A minute left.
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90 min + 1: Three minutes of added time. Can China make one final chance?90 min + 1: Three minutes of added time. Can China make one final chance?
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02:1702:17
90 min: Pang tries to force a corner, but Johnston sees it out for a goal kick.90 min: Pang tries to force a corner, but Johnston sees it out for a goal kick.
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02:1602:16
89 min: And a chance for Christen Press seal it! She beat two – she went past Li easily in the box – but her shot was off target. Shame: the approach play was nice.89 min: And a chance for Christen Press seal it! She beat two – she went past Li easily in the box – but her shot was off target. Shame: the approach play was nice.
2.15am BST2.15am BST
02:1502:15
88 min: Handball by Press. China need a goal, but they just haven’t functioned as an attacking force. Much endeavour, but little craft. Johnston steps in to take it from Wang Shuang. China going out with a whimper.88 min: Handball by Press. China need a goal, but they just haven’t functioned as an attacking force. Much endeavour, but little craft. Johnston steps in to take it from Wang Shuang. China going out with a whimper.
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02:1302:13
87 min: China can’t get the ball. They look jaded.87 min: China can’t get the ball. They look jaded.
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02:1302:13
86 min: And a chance for Christen Press! Low corner from Heath, dummied by Wambach, but Press fired over. Nicely worked.86 min: And a chance for Christen Press! Low corner from Heath, dummied by Wambach, but Press fired over. Nicely worked.
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85 min: Rodriguez gets clear down the left, but it breaks down again – but then Press accepts the lose ball, and fires at goal. It’s blocked. Corner! And a final change: Abby Wambach for Amy Rodriguez.85 min: Rodriguez gets clear down the left, but it breaks down again – but then Press accepts the lose ball, and fires at goal. It’s blocked. Corner! And a final change: Abby Wambach for Amy Rodriguez.
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84 min: China go long into the box, looking for Wang Shanshan, but Solo claims easily.84 min: China go long into the box, looking for Wang Shanshan, but Solo claims easily.
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82 min: USA look comfortable here. China have to take a chance, no?82 min: USA look comfortable here. China have to take a chance, no?
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02:0802:08
81 min: Heather O’Reilly on for Alex Morgan: “She is a workhorse – and she’s so fast,” says Cat Whitehill on commentary. Nine minutes to hold it up, run around a bit, and generally make a nuisance of herself.81 min: Heather O’Reilly on for Alex Morgan: “She is a workhorse – and she’s so fast,” says Cat Whitehill on commentary. Nine minutes to hold it up, run around a bit, and generally make a nuisance of herself.
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80 min: Wang Lisi tried a curler, but straight at Hope Solo. Incidentally, USA haven’t conceded a goal in the second half of games at this tournament. And they don’t look like they’re going to concede here, either.80 min: Wang Lisi tried a curler, but straight at Hope Solo. Incidentally, USA haven’t conceded a goal in the second half of games at this tournament. And they don’t look like they’re going to concede here, either.
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79 min: Urgency required from China, but they can’t quite get going. Ooh, here’s a chance, though: Sauerbrunn comes through the back of Wang Shanshan, and it’s a free kick about 30 yards from goal.79 min: Urgency required from China, but they can’t quite get going. Ooh, here’s a chance, though: Sauerbrunn comes through the back of Wang Shanshan, and it’s a free kick about 30 yards from goal.
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78 min: Great play from Morgan down the left, beating Wu with skill and pace, but her cross is just too long for Christen Press.78 min: Great play from Morgan down the left, beating Wu with skill and pace, but her cross is just too long for Christen Press.
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02:0202:02
75 min: USA look OK here: China haven’t really got round the sides and hurt them, and USA look the more likely scorers right now.75 min: USA look OK here: China haven’t really got round the sides and hurt them, and USA look the more likely scorers right now.
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73 min: My oh my, what a shot! So nearly 2-0: Ali Krieger hits the bar! It didn’t look as if anything was on, so she just had a dip with her left foot from outside the box, and it clanged back off the woodwork! (Does wood clang?) Great effort, and so unlucky. Final change for China. Tang replaces Han Peng.73 min: My oh my, what a shot! So nearly 2-0: Ali Krieger hits the bar! It didn’t look as if anything was on, so she just had a dip with her left foot from outside the box, and it clanged back off the woodwork! (Does wood clang?) Great effort, and so unlucky. Final change for China. Tang replaces Han Peng.
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71 min: They haven’t really created any clear openings, China, but they’re game, and Wu moves forward smoothly. China on the front foot here, but Liu’s pass is errant, and here come USA on the break. Morgan can’t keep it in, but this game has some nice ebb and flow.71 min: They haven’t really created any clear openings, China, but they’re game, and Wu moves forward smoothly. China on the front foot here, but Liu’s pass is errant, and here come USA on the break. Morgan can’t keep it in, but this game has some nice ebb and flow.
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70 min: … and Solo punches clear, somewhat nervously. It’s sent back in by Wang Shuang, but no danger.70 min: … and Solo punches clear, somewhat nervously. It’s sent back in by Wang Shuang, but no danger.
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69 min: China coming into this now! It’s a corner …69 min: China coming into this now! It’s a corner …
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67 min: Julie Johnston has been immaculate here tonight, and she wins another clean header from Wang Shanshan. Now Wang Shuang tries to go through the middle, but it’s mopped up. Nothing doing for China so far.67 min: Julie Johnston has been immaculate here tonight, and she wins another clean header from Wang Shanshan. Now Wang Shuang tries to go through the middle, but it’s mopped up. Nothing doing for China so far.
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01:5301:53
66 min: Rodriguez tries to pinch one from Wu in the right-back slot, but she can’t control it. Goal kick, and Wang Fei will send it long.66 min: Rodriguez tries to pinch one from Wu in the right-back slot, but she can’t control it. Goal kick, and Wang Fei will send it long.
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65 min: For all the talk of them being a defensive team, China pass it very nicely: they’ve got some technically accomplished players. They’ve come out from their ultra-defensive shape now: there’ll be more goals in this. That’s my hot take!65 min: For all the talk of them being a defensive team, China pass it very nicely: they’ve got some technically accomplished players. They’ve come out from their ultra-defensive shape now: there’ll be more goals in this. That’s my hot take!
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64 min: China are plenty young, so they shouldn’t tire. But that was a chance! Wang Shanshan’s header, and Wang Lisi just couldn’t get on the end of it.64 min: China are plenty young, so they shouldn’t tire. But that was a chance! Wang Shanshan’s header, and Wang Lisi just couldn’t get on the end of it.
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60 min: China had a corner there, and they played it short, and Wu crossed it – but only Wang Shanshan was in the box! Potty! Change for USA – O’Hara out, Christen Press in. I think O’Hara got clattered by Wang Fei about five minutes ago, and couldn’t continue. But O’Hara should be proud: she’s played really well.60 min: China had a corner there, and they played it short, and Wu crossed it – but only Wang Shanshan was in the box! Potty! Change for USA – O’Hara out, Christen Press in. I think O’Hara got clattered by Wang Fei about five minutes ago, and couldn’t continue. But O’Hara should be proud: she’s played really well.
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58 min: A reminder that the winner here will play Germany on Tuesday in Montreal. China need a goal! They’re pressing a little higher up the pitch, but now here come USA the other way, with Morgan down the left. She’s crowded out.58 min: A reminder that the winner here will play Germany on Tuesday in Montreal. China need a goal! They’re pressing a little higher up the pitch, but now here come USA the other way, with Morgan down the left. She’s crowded out.
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57 min: Change for Tan Ruyin out, Pang Fengyue in. Tan looks beat. USA playing with 10 – Kelley O’Hara is bleeding from her nose.57 min: Change for Tan Ruyin out, Pang Fengyue in. Tan looks beat. USA playing with 10 – Kelley O’Hara is bleeding from her nose.
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55 min: Corner to USA. And Wang Fei misses it again! She’s a good goalie, but she’s missed three punches on crosses today. Fortunately for her, China scramble it clear.55 min: Corner to USA. And Wang Fei misses it again! She’s a good goalie, but she’s missed three punches on crosses today. Fortunately for her, China scramble it clear.
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53 min: Now China have a problem. They have to score, otherwise they’re going home, but how do they do that without opening themselves up? Head coach Hao Wei has to earn his money here.53 min: Now China have a problem. They have to score, otherwise they’re going home, but how do they do that without opening themselves up? Head coach Hao Wei has to earn his money here.
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51 min: All that hard defensive work China have put in, and they’re undone on a long ball! Johnston just tossed it into the penalty area, and Lloyd just got up higher than everyone else! Her header was solid, and accurate, and low, and maybe it skipped off the turf a little under Wang Fei’s body. But USA lead, and it’s the captain!51 min: All that hard defensive work China have put in, and they’re undone on a long ball! Johnston just tossed it into the penalty area, and Lloyd just got up higher than everyone else! Her header was solid, and accurate, and low, and maybe it skipped off the turf a little under Wang Fei’s body. But USA lead, and it’s the captain!
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01:3801:38
GOAL! China 0-1 USA (Lloyd 51)GOAL! China 0-1 USA (Lloyd 51)
And there it is! Carli Lloyd!And there it is! Carli Lloyd!
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01:3701:37
50 min: It’s going to be difficult for China to win this in their current set-up: they’re so deep, and so focused on defence, and they don’t have an out ball. Wang Shanshan has had to drop so deep to collect it, and the Chinese attackers are on top of their defenders. Some fine-tuning needed. Wu, the captain, trips Rodriguez. Yellow card.50 min: It’s going to be difficult for China to win this in their current set-up: they’re so deep, and so focused on defence, and they don’t have an out ball. Wang Shanshan has had to drop so deep to collect it, and the Chinese attackers are on top of their defenders. Some fine-tuning needed. Wu, the captain, trips Rodriguez. Yellow card.
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48 min: Lloyd goes on a sortie down the right, and that’s excellent support play from O’Hara. She’s crowded out, but it’s a USA corner – and it’s a waste from Heath. China clear.48 min: Lloyd goes on a sortie down the right, and that’s excellent support play from O’Hara. She’s crowded out, but it’s a USA corner – and it’s a waste from Heath. China clear.
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47 min: Shot from Rodriguez. It’s speculative, and it’s well wide.47 min: Shot from Rodriguez. It’s speculative, and it’s well wide.
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46 min: OK, then, let’s go again! No changes at the half, and immediately China settle into their defensive shape.46 min: OK, then, let’s go again! No changes at the half, and immediately China settle into their defensive shape.
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01:31
USA are back on the pitch! And Abby Wambach gives a motivational speech, with plenty of fuckings thrown in for good measure.
Updated
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01:24
Our women’s soccer expert Caitlin Murray is in Ottawa:
The Americans are playing with the ball on the ground. This is not the same we’ve seen from them thus far in this tournament. No question.
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01:23
Daniel Stauss is not impressed by USA:
China’s defense looks far too comfortable in the face of this US … possession, not pressure. There’s an abysmal lack of interest from the US when it comes to the final ball in, or the incisive run to clear space, or really in anything much, and China seems more than fine with that.
The US looks completely flat. That was a boring first half. Credit to Julie Johnson, though, she’s been decent.
1.22am BST
01:22
Just watching that Rodriguez attempt again, and I misspoke: she tried to take it with her right, and bend it past the keeper. (Also, the bad mistake was from Li Dongna.)
Here’s the chance:
From earlier: Amy Rodriguez might've had the worst shot of the tournament here #USA https://t.co/16MsSeXOjA
1.20am BST
01:20
Colombia are playing Argentina in the quarter-finals of the Copa America – and it’s tetchy! It’s 0-0 at half-time, and you can find out what happened in the first 45 with Nick Ames:
Related: Copa América quarter-final: Argentina v Colombia – live!
1.18am BST
01:18
Here’s Marc Howlett:
What tactical changes, if any, do you see US coach Jill Ellis making in the second half? Perhaps bringing on a Boxx to Boxx midfielder?
Maybe! But there’s very little criticism here of USA – they’ve played well, but just haven’t been able to score. That chance that fell to Rodriguez early on was golden: she should have tucked it away.
1.17am BST
01:17
Half-time: China 0-0 USA
45 min: Lovely cushioned header from Carli Lloyd, but Morgan’s left foot shot is blocked by the redoubtable Wu. And that’s the half! USA have the edge, but it’s still 0-0. I’m not quite sure how, but it is!
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43 min: Lovely turn by Heath, but China defend that well, and Wang Lisi, who’s been their best performer, carries it forward. Better from China – that was much more confident passing – but Wang Lisi’s shot doesn’t trouble Hope Solo.
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01:13
42 min: Surely it’s only a matter of time before USA score. USA go left, and then right, and there’s all kinds of movement, and now back to Johnston, and she looks for Rodriguez … but her touch is heavy, not for the first time, and that’s a goal kick.
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01:11
41 min: Lloyd looks as though she’s always prepared to start something: this we like. Then Krieger’s diagonal ball looks for Morgan, but it’s too high.
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40 min: China have resolutely refused to go long to Wang Shanshan, but maybe they should: they’re all so deep, that a direct ball might relieve some pressure and get them on the front foot. There’s nowhere for them to go!
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01:09
38 min: Actually, China deserve great credit here: they had an awful opening five minutes or so, and looked all at sea, but they’ve clung on, and shown desire and tenacity and courage, and they’re still at 0-0. They don’t look comfortable, but they’re still in this!
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01:07
37 min: The technique from Lloyd there was textbook: the ball hardly wobbled. Now Lloyd looks to play in Rodriguez round the corner, but they’re not quite on the same wavelength.
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01:07
36 min: I like the look of Wang Fei, China’s goalkeeper: she looks like she has a bit of needle in her. In a good way! And she’s called upon here, beating away a long-range free kick from Carli Lloyd that dipped and swerved. Very well struck; well saved.
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36 min: Change for China: Wang Shuang in for Lou Jiahui.
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01:05
35 min: Better possession here from China – Tan trying to make something happen from midfield. But they have so few players in advances positions, it’s difficult to get out. Then a bad giveaway from Lloyd! China attacked down the left, but Wang Lisu’s cross was just behind Wang Shanshan.
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01:02
33 min: Foul from Lloyd on Tan. Here’s Kyle Brown:
I think China has consumed about 6 of their 9 lives here.
Yep!
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01:01
32 min: China have barely had a shot. They’ve defended tenaciously, but the ball keeps coming back. They’re clinging on! Fortunately for them, O’Hara’s cross from the byline is behind.
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01:00
31 min: Oof, Rodriguez looked like she was in there down the right, but Zhao Rong did so well to come across and cover. Corner, though … and a free header for Johnston! Over the bar!
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00:59
30 min: Rolled in nicely to Rodriguez from the free-kick, but it rolls through to Wang Fei, and China can take a breather. They need it!