In a matchup between the No. 1 (USA) and No. 3 (England) ranked teams in the world, the USWNT took down England in a close semifinal game, punching their ticket to the World Cup final.
With Megan Rapinoe sitting due to a hamstring injury, Christen Press got the chance to start and shine on the big stage. And she did just that.
Like every match in the World Cup, the U.S. took yet another early lead when Tobin Heath delivered a through-ball on the right side that found Kelley O’Hara who then sent a cross into the box where Press headed the ball home for the 1-0 lead.
That @kelleymohara, @ChristenPress connection was *chef’s kiss* pic.twitter.com/LkzyGkvSwi
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 2, 2019
England equalized in the 19th minute, when Ellen White took a brief lead in the Golden Boot race, scoring her sixth goal of the tournament to tie the score.
The U.S. regained the lead in the 31st, when Press chested the ball down and found Lindsey Horan, who turned a lofted a ball into the box. Alex Morgan made the run and connected on a header, sending the ball past the England ‘keeper for the 2-1 advantage.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, ALEXANDRA! pic.twitter.com/LjwKfmqwbV
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 2, 2019
England nearly knotted the score just two minutes later, but a diving save by U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher kept them in front.
Let’s all take a second to collectively appreciate this save from @AlyssaNaeher because my goodness that was a beauty. pic.twitter.com/oDnhet3hsq
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 2, 2019
The second half was just as entertaining as the first, and England nearly equalized again in the 67th, but after a long VAR review, the goal was disallowed after offsides was called.
The U.S. gave England another chance to tie the game late, when another VAR review determined that Becky Sauerbrunn clipped Ellen White in the box, giving England a penalty kick. Steph Houghton stepped up to the spot for England and fired the ball to the left side, but Naeher read it the whole way, stopping the penalty and preserving the U.S. lead.
Playing this on a loop forever and ever and ever and ever ??????@AlyssaNaeher TAKE A BOW. pic.twitter.com/EM5WZjd4wT
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 2, 2019
Just two minutes later, England’s Millie Bright picked up her second yellow card of the match, being sent off and leaving England with ten for the rest of the match. After seven minutes of stoppage time, the whistle blew and the U.S. celebrated the win.
More World Cup records
The U.S. has set multiple records at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and they set yet another on Tuesday. With the victory over England, the U.S. have now recorded 11 straight wins in the World Cup dating back to their final group stage match in the 2015 Women’s World Cup.
Morgan scores on her birthday
Alex Morgan turned 30 on Tuesday and celebrated with a goal, her sixth of the World Cup and 107th of her career. With the sixth goal, Morgan pulls ahead in the Golden Boot race with three assists to add to her goal count.
Up Next
The U.S. is playing in the World Cup final for the third straight tournament, looking to repeat as champions following their 2015 victory. The U.S. will play the winner of the other semifinal match between the Netherlands and Sweden, who are both looking for their first appearance in the final.
The Netherlands vs. Sweden match takes place today on FS1 at 1 p.m. MT. The U.S. will then play the winner on Sunday at 9 a.m. MT on FOX for the World Cup title.
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