This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jun/30/womens-world-cup-usa-into-final-after-carli-lloyd-tames-germany

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Women's World Cup: USA into final after Carli Lloyd tames Germany Women's World Cup: USA into final after Carli Lloyd tames Germany
(about 1 hour 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 of winning their third Women’s World Cup alive. Germany, ranked No1 and the tournament’s strongest attacking unit, looked unprepared for USA’s pressure.
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. “We knew we had this in us. This team had a lot of confidence and we’ve done a really good job of blocking out you guys,” USA coach Jill Ellis told reporters after the game. “We had every belief we could win this game and that’s part of the spirit of the American player.”
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. This pulsating semi-final was physical from the get-go — Alexandra Popp needed her head bandaged after a gruesome collision — but it would be a pair of penalties that went a long way to deciding the game.
“It’s a dream come true,” Lloyd said after the game. “This is what we trained for.” Annike Krahn desperately hip-checked forward Alex Morgan to the ground in the 68th minute, drawing a yellow card and a penalty. Nadine Angerer guessed the wrong way and Lloyd calmly slotted the ball home, finally breaking the deadlock.
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. The Germany coach, Silvia Neid, noted correctly that replays showed the foul occurred outside of the box.
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. “Of course, I’m very sad that this penalty decided the match,” she said. “What am I going to do though? A referee’s decision is something we have to live with.”
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. Germany had their own chance from the spot 10 minutes earlier, but Sasic, tied for leading scorer of the tournament, bungled her attempt and shot wide of goal. Popp earned the penalty after being pulled down by an uncharacteristically shaky Julie Johnston.
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. “That was probably every defender’s worst nightmare. It happened so fast,” Johnston said. “This was a team performance and the team today really stepped up for me. I really can’t thank them enough and I think I’ll thank them all the way to the final.”
The Germans are deprived of a shot at a third world title while USA can set a record if they win their third in Vancouver on Sunday. USA will face the winner of the England v Japan semi-final on Wednesday night.
Though Ellis had used a 4-4-2 formation with two strikers up front throughout the tournament, she changed things up for this match in a surprise move, instead switching to a 4-2-3-1 with 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 essentially turned into USA’s second striker, focused entirely on offense.
It was a masterstroke from Ellis. 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, and it was her first-ever for the US senior national team.
“It’s euphoric, to be honest. It was something I was not expecting,” O’Hara said. “I’m kind of still processing it. I’m so proud of this team and as a sub you just want to help your team however you can, bring energy to the game.”
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 Morgan on a one-on-one breakaway after a clever ball from Tobin Heath.
Germany out-shot USA, 15 to 12, but USA had five chances on goal to Germany’s one. Germany held possession for stretches, but their attack was unable to find a way through the Americans.
“It was an even match, but we did not follow through,” Neid said. “We weren’t dangerous enough in front of goal.”
Angerer agreed. “I think we didn’t give up, even after we were down 1-0,” she said. “But at the end of the day, I think the US earned the win today.”
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 progressed relatively smoothly, 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. “This team is getting better, but we have to remember that this isn’t the final,” Abby Wambach said. “We have to win one more game.”
That game is in Vancouver on Sunday at BC Place. On this form, USA will be tough to beat.