US beat France to enter Women’s World Cup semifinals

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Paris: The US showed why they are regarded as the premier side in women’s soccer, defeating host nation France 2-1 to claim a spot in the semi-finals of the 2019 Women’s World Cup. As she did in the quarter-final against Spain, Megan Rapinoe on Friday scored both goals for the Americans, who have never failed to reach the final four of a competition they have won three times, most recently in 2015, reports Efe news.

A near-capacity crowd of more than 45,000 people were in the stands at Parc des Princes on a sweltering night in Paris for the most-anticipated match-up of the 2019 championship and the contest did not disappoint.

Unexpectedly, given their talent, the US ceded the initiative to the French, who had more than 60 per cent possession and outshot the Americans 20-10. But while France had more of the ball, the US were more effective and took a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute, when Rapinoe threaded a free-kick through a forest of legs.

Getting the early goal allowed the US to fall back and await chances on the counter for speedy forwards Rapinoe and Alex Morgan. France, after being held without a shot in the first half, created some nervous moments for the US over the course of roughly 20 minutes following the re-start.