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| Women's World Cup: USA into final after Carli Lloyd tames Germany | Women's World Cup: USA into final after Carli Lloyd tames Germany |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| The USA and Germany may be the best two teams in the world, but their path to the Women’s World Cup final was paved with penalty kicks. | The USA and Germany may be the best two teams in the world, but their path to the Women’s World Cup final was paved with penalty kicks. |
| A successful spot kick from Carli Lloyd punished Celia Sasic for missing her own penalty, keeping USA’s dream alive of winning their third Women’s World Cup. Germany, ranked No1 and the tournament’s best attacking unit, looked unprepared for USA’s pressure. They are deprived of a shot at their own third world title. | A successful spot kick from Carli Lloyd punished Celia Sasic for missing her own penalty, keeping USA’s dream alive of winning their third Women’s World Cup. Germany, ranked No1 and the tournament’s best attacking unit, looked unprepared for USA’s pressure. They are deprived of a shot at their own third world title. |
| This pulsating semi-final was physical from the get-go — Alexandra Popp needed her head bandaged after a gruesome collision — but resulting penalties turned into opportunities for each team to pull ahead. | This pulsating semi-final was physical from the get-go — Alexandra Popp needed her head bandaged after a gruesome collision — but resulting penalties turned into opportunities for each team to pull ahead. |
| Annike Krahn desperately stepped in forward Alex Morgan’s way in the 68th minute, drawing a yellow card and a penalty. Nadine Angerer guessed the wrong way and Lloyd calmly slotted it in, finally put one team ahead. Subsequent replays showed the foul was just outside the box. | Annike Krahn desperately stepped in forward Alex Morgan’s way in the 68th minute, drawing a yellow card and a penalty. Nadine Angerer guessed the wrong way and Lloyd calmly slotted it in, finally put one team ahead. Subsequent replays showed the foul was just outside the box. |
| “It’s a dream come true,” Lloyd said after the game. “This is what we trained for.” | |
| Germany had their own chance for a spot kick 10 minutes earlier, but Sasic, tied for leading scorer of the tournament, bungled it and shot wide of net. Popp earned the penalty after being pulled down by an uncharacteristically shaky Julie Johnston. | Germany had their own chance for a spot kick 10 minutes earlier, but Sasic, tied for leading scorer of the tournament, bungled it and shot wide of net. Popp earned the penalty after being pulled down by an uncharacteristically shaky Julie Johnston. |
| Though the USA coach, Jill Ellis, had used a 4-4-2 formation with two strikers up top throughout the tournament, she changed things up for this match in a surprise move, instead switching to a 4-2-3-1 with Alex Morgan as the lone forward. | Though the USA coach, Jill Ellis, had used a 4-4-2 formation with two strikers up top throughout the tournament, she changed things up for this match in a surprise move, instead switching to a 4-2-3-1 with Alex Morgan as the lone forward. |
| Lloyd’s role was an open question going into the match, and Ellis opted to give her what she wanted: a chance to roam in the box for goals, while central midfielders Morgan Brian and Lauren Holiday mopped up German attacks. | Lloyd’s role was an open question going into the match, and Ellis opted to give her what she wanted: a chance to roam in the box for goals, while central midfielders Morgan Brian and Lauren Holiday mopped up German attacks. |
| Lloyd ended up the hero again after her stellar performance against China just days ago. She scored the penalty and set up Kelley O’Hara for the second goal by dribbling her way through Germany’s backline in the 86th minute. Her pass met a lunging O’Hara in front of Angerer’s goal. O’Hara’s finish was as emphatic as it was ruthless. | Lloyd ended up the hero again after her stellar performance against China just days ago. She scored the penalty and set up Kelley O’Hara for the second goal by dribbling her way through Germany’s backline in the 86th minute. Her pass met a lunging O’Hara in front of Angerer’s goal. O’Hara’s finish was as emphatic as it was ruthless. |
| The Americans had the better chances all day, but Angerer single-handedly kept the Germans in the match in the first half with some splendid saves to deny what should have been a couple of USA goals. | The Americans had the better chances all day, but Angerer single-handedly kept the Germans in the match in the first half with some splendid saves to deny what should have been a couple of USA goals. |
| In the seventh minute, center-back Johnston connected well with her head on a set piece to direct the ball toward the far post, but Angerer saved brilliantly with her feet. Shortly afterwards, Angerer denied Alex Morgan on a one-on-one breakaway after a clever ball from Tobin Heath. | In the seventh minute, center-back Johnston connected well with her head on a set piece to direct the ball toward the far post, but Angerer saved brilliantly with her feet. Shortly afterwards, Angerer denied Alex Morgan on a one-on-one breakaway after a clever ball from Tobin Heath. |
| Both teams had been considered favorites going into the tournament and appeared destined to meet in the semi-final. Of the three times these teams have faced one another in a Women’s World Cup, the winner has gone on to lift the trophy. | Both teams had been considered favorites going into the tournament and appeared destined to meet in the semi-final. Of the three times these teams have faced one another in a Women’s World Cup, the winner has gone on to lift the trophy. |
| Germany had dominated this year’s tournament, recording the most goals and most shots of any team by a significant margin. Though their 10-0 thrashing of Ivory Coast skewed the numbers, they still remained the strongest-looking team in Canada. | Germany had dominated this year’s tournament, recording the most goals and most shots of any team by a significant margin. Though their 10-0 thrashing of Ivory Coast skewed the numbers, they still remained the strongest-looking team in Canada. |
| The Americans also did well in terms of results, but looked low on confidence. Since their win against China in the quarter-final, though, the Americans are riding a wave of dominating soccer. | The Americans also did well in terms of results, but looked low on confidence. Since their win against China in the quarter-final, though, the Americans are riding a wave of dominating soccer. |
| USA will face the winner of the England v Japan semi-final on Wednesday night. The final is in Vancouver on Sunday. | USA will face the winner of the England v Japan semi-final on Wednesday night. The final is in Vancouver on Sunday. |