Women’s World Cup Live Blog: U.S. Beats France 3-1, Advances to World Cup Final

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Jul 13, 2011

Women's World Cup Live Blog: U.S. Beats France 3-1, Advances to World Cup Final

Final: U.S. 3, France 1

It wasn't always pretty, but the U.S. did enough to advance to Sunday's Women's World Cup final. Not bad for a team that almost missed qualifying for the World Cup entirely.

For the first 60-plus minutes, France seemed to be the aggressor, dominating midfield play and owning the majority of the scoring chances.

But soon after Megan Rapinoe entered the game at the 65th minute, it was the United States that went on the attack. Wambach scored in the 79th minute off her patented header to give the U.S. the 2-1 lead, and Alex Morgan put the game away for good with a goal in the 82nd minute.

France dominated across the scoreboard, including a 27-12 advantage in shots, but the U.S. won the most important statistic 3-1.

They will now await the winner of the Sweden-Japan game, which is to be played later today.

2nd half, 87th minute: The U.S. uses its final substitution, replacing O'Reilley with Tobin Heath — likely an offense-for-defense sub.

Morgan gets a breakaway denied by Sapowicz. It would have been the 22-year-old's second goal of the game.

2nd half, 82nd minute: Goal, U.S.!

Alex Morgan, the team's youngest player, with the terrific chip to beat the keeper, putting the United States up 3-1.

The U.S. looks well on its way to an appearance in the 2011 World Cup final.

2nd half, 79th minute: Goal, U.S.!

I think it's safe to say Abby Wambach's goal-scoring troubles are over. The forward has three goals in as many games, and she's had quite the flare for the dramatic in the process.

U.S. leads 2-1 as the game enters its final 10 minutes.

2nd half, 74th minute: Good no call by the official. This crew has been a bit of an upgrade over last game's, to say the least (knock on wood).

Coincidence or not, the U.S. has seemed to turn it up a notch since Rapinoe entered the game.

2nd half, 65th minute: Megan Rampinoe, one of the heroes from last game, has come in for the United States

Rampinoe should add more of an attacking mentality to the mix, which is needed for a U.S. team that has been on the defensive for most of the second half.

2nd half, 55th minute: Goal, France!

Sonia Bombpaster sends in a cross from the left side that bounces off the post and in.

It was only a matter of time for France, who has had far more possession, set pieces and shots throughout the course of the game. The U.S. now finds itself in a remarkably similar position as they were in against Brazil — although they hopefully won't have to play an hour down a man.

Halftime analysis: U.S. 1, France 0

On some level, both teams have to feel pretty good about themselves right now — France because they dominated possession and had more scoring chances; the United States because, well, they have the lead.

As Foudy pointed out during the broadcast, the U.S. seems content with keeping several players back on defense at all times. As a result, the majority of France's chances (aside from those coming off set pieces) have come from long range, and Solo isn't likely to get beat on shots from distance. The U.S.'s counterrack has also looked good, as it's produced their lone goal (O'Reilley to Cheney) and two other near goals (both from Wambach).

It wasn't pretty, but the United States is 45 minutes away from its first World Cup appearance since 1999. Oh, and here's a nice little tidbit for the stat people out there: The U.S. has never lost a World Cup game when leading at halftime.

1st half, 40th minute: Momentum starting to change a bit, as Wambach has had two shots — one a header, one a re-direct — just barely miss the net. She also took out two French players on the second one.

It's essential for the U.S. to make it to halftime with its lead still intact.

1st half, 30th minute: Solo comes up with a huge save on a breakaway.

The U.S. has given the ball away several times in the midfield, and France continues to have the better chances and possession.

And in the 32nd minute, France puts one off the crossbar off yet another free kick.

1st half, 25th minute:

Julie Foudy: France has three goals off corners, the most of any team in the tournament.

The U.S. is playing with a little bit of fire if they continue to give up corner kicks (three so far) and set pieces. Despite the deficit, France has had quality possession and scoring chances so far.

1st half, 9th minute: Goal, U.S.! Great counterattack ends with a Lauren Cheney goal.

After the U.S. weathered two France corner kicks — including a big save from Solo to tip the ball over the crossbar — Heather O'Reilley beat her defender down the left flank before crossing it in, where Cheney was waiting to finish it.

This marks the second straight game that the U.S. was able to take the lead before the 10-minute mark.

11:30 a.m.:

The U.S.'s lineup is out. From back to front:

Hope Solo
Christie Rampone
Becky Sauerbrunn
Amy Le Peilbet
Shannon Boxx
Amy Rodriguez
Heather O'Reilley
Carly Lloyd
Alex Krieger
Lauren Cheney
Abby Wambach

Here are some keys for the game:

Will the U.S. be tired, both physically and mentally? While France also played a double-overtime, quarterfinal matchup against England, they had the benefit of one more day's rest than the United States. That could pay dividends late in the game and, especially, if this one goes into overtime. It will also be interesting to see if the U.S. will be ready to go mentally after such a dramatic conclusion against Brazil.

Abby Wambach's resurgence: After ending the first double-digit scoring drought of her career against Sweden, Wambach has now scored two goals in as many games. And the second, as everyone knows, was a pretty important one. She'll likely have to carry the offense again on Wednesday for the U.S. to advance to the World Cup.

Watch for Hope Solo … her shoulder, I mean. The U.S.'s star keeper had shoulder surgery late last year, and while she hasn't seemed bothered by it, it's something that could rear its ugly head after the grind of such a long tournament.

9:30 a.m.: It's a play that every sports fan — and many non-sports fans alike — has probably seen by now.

With the United States trailing Brazil 2-1 in the second overtime of the FIFA Women's World Cup quarterfinal on Saturday, reserve Megan Rapinoe sent in a near-perfect cross to forward Abby Wambach, who buried the header into the back in the game's 122nd minute.

Tie game, onto PKs, and the rest, as they say, was history.

But all of that drama will have been for naught if the U.S. can't use that momentum to carry them to victory in Wednesday's semifinals matchup against France. Like their counterparts, France also needed penalties to advance past continental-rival England — although they did have the luxury of an extra day's rest.

U.S.-France is set to kick off at noon (Eastern Time), with a spot in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup up for grabs.

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