After a thrilling upset against Brazil, the USA defeated France 3-1 on July 13 to make it to the championship final of the 2011 Women's World Cup.
Within the first eight minutes, France had two corner kicks. Shannon Boxx headed the first one away and then Louisa Necib got a hold of the ball and fired from outside. Hope Solo knocked it over the goal. On the second corner, France took another shot but it went right to Solo.
Heather O'Reilly set up the first goal for the U.S. Running down the left side, O' Reilly crossed the ball and Lauren Cheney deflected the cross into the goal. This was Cheney's second goal in the 2011 World Cup.
Then, Necib put in a perfect ball to Gaetane Thiney who made a diagonal shot but Solo got a hand on it.
In the 32nd minute, a free kick allowed Sonia Bompastor to take a shot that clipped the crossbar. This was lucky for the USA as the ball was headed to the top corner and over Hope Solo's head.
Before the half, central defender Christy Rampone ran up past the halfway line and into offensive territory. Then, she crossed it to Abby Wambach and Wambach headed it back across the face of the goal.
Despite great plays from both teams, the score remained 1-0 at the half.
In the 55th minute, France tied up the game. After France switched the field, Bompastor hit a spinning shot that skipped past Hope Solo.
France continued to press in the second half with better possession and shots.
After Megan Rapinoe blasted a free kick at France's goal, goalkeeper Berangere Sapowicz blocked the shot. Alex Morgan went after the rebound but missed.
In the 79th minute, Lauren Cheney floated a corner to the back post and Abby Wambach came up larger than life to head the ball home.
A few minutes later, Megan Rapinoe squeaked the ball through the defense. Alex Morgan, trailed by four French defenders, chipped the ball over Sapowicz. This is Morgan's first World Cup and her first goal in the tournament.
The USA is one step closer to winning the 2011 FIFA World Cup. It will play Japan in the final on Sunday, July 17.
source:yahoo.com
