The first match of the FIFA Women's World Cup semifinals went down yesterday night in a mouth watering encounter between two female football giants. It was England against the dreaded defending champions US.
USA, known for scoring early goals in their matches, definitely did it again against England. Inside the first five minutes Rose Lavelle nutmegged England defender Millie Bright along the right end line, cut inside and blasted a shot at Carly Telford in the England goal which she palmed away.
The goal finally came in the tenth minute, when Kelly O'Hara whipping cross flew over England defender Lucy Bronze and straight to Press, who powered a header past Telford into the upper left corner for her first goal of the World Cup and the 1-0 lead.
It was a fast response from England though, when Ellen White deftly redirected in Beath Mead's cross after sneaking behind the U.S defense.
There were quite a lot of chances between both teams after the equaliser from White, one of which Lavelle forced Telford into a strong save in the 25th minute.
Just after the half-hour mark, later announced player of the match winner and birthday girl, Alex Morgan, scored what proved to be the game-winner, heading home Horan's cross for her tournament leading sixth goal.
England nearly equalised again in the 78th minute when Nikita Paris centered for White and referee awarded a penalty kick after a controversial VAR check revealed that goalscorer, Ellen White had been inadvertently tripped in the U.S. box. England captain Stephanie Houghton took the courage to take the spot kick, but Naeher was up to the task as she got down to her right for the massive and perhaps historic save.
They were quite a flurry of chances from both sides in the closing minutes, and the U.S. pressure got the better side of England center back Millie Bright as she was sent-off for taking up a second yellow- the first against Morgan and the second against her as well.
The referee blew the final whistle after the 7 minutes of added time and it was U.S. reaching the Women's World Cup final for three consecutive times.
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