The women’s game has often been criticised by onlookers, but those who watched USA play Germany in the early hours of Tuesday morning will have witnessed a thoroughly entertaining match, packed with drama, misery and elation to rival any men’s clash.
Germany, who were tipped as the favourites for the trophy and have backed up such predictions with evident quality all-tournament, went down 2-0 to a strong US side who had previously been struggling to hit their top-form.
Goals courtesy of Carli Lloyd and Kelley O’Hara sealed the deal for the USA who will now play in their fourth World Cup final against the winners of Japan vs. England.
It was an energetic game, as one would expect given the quality of the two sides. Germany had scored the most goals during the tournament while USA had one of the best defences. What a match-up.
USA kicked proceedings into action with threatening corners from Megan Rapinoe, the first of which was met by Julie Johnston whose shot was well blocked by Nadine Angerer. It was a pure reflex save, and a good one at that. Germany had to withstand the pressure of five corners in the first half an hour.
The USA had another very encouraging chance as Lloyd played in Alex Morgan for a one-one-one. Unfortunately for the USA, Morgan’s shot was timid and lacked the conviction to beat the sprawling legs of Angerer. Germany again under pressure; again just about surviving. However a better effort from Morgan would have easily found the back of the net.
Tobin Heath then went close after a ball was played back into the Germany box, culminating in a penalty-box scramble but with bodies in the way and the ball under her feet, she could not find a telling connection in time.
German chances were at a premium, with the first real opportunity coming to Anja Mitag, who has five goals in six 2015 World Cup games, but could only head just wide.
When things aren’t going too well in football, players tend to go more direct, generally out of desperation and urgency. And that’s exactly what Melanie Leupolz did and it got results. The US defending was laughable, with Johnston failing to deal with the high ball as it sailed over her head. A flailing leg failed to find the right contact on the ball and instead crashed against number 19 Alexandra Popp. Despite Popp’s best efforts to shoot anyway, the Romanian referee Teodora Albon pointed to the spot and gave Germany a lifeline. Could the tournament’s top goalscorer, Celia Sasic, make it count?
You’d think so, but in the heat of the moment she crippled under the pressure and skewed the ball wide. Hope Solo had been playing all the mind games; pointing, leaving her line, speaking to Sasic to try and put her off – maybe it worked?
Morgan continued to be the focal point of the USA and in the second half her involvement finally resulted in something. This time she picked the ball up deep, ran forward in a positive and direct manner, inviting the challenges. Annike Krahn of Germany accepted the invitation, but turned up to the party late – unfashionably late, and clattered into the US striker. The referee awarded a penalty but closer replay inspection shows it was outside the box…just.
Captain Lloyd taught Sasic a penalty-taking lesson as she slammed it into the top corner, sending goalkeeper Angerer the wrong way.
The USA secured their place in the final in the last few minutes as substitute O’Hara got on the end of a brilliant cross. It ended an excellent passing team move, instigated by Meghan Klingenberg’s clever reverse ball which opened up the space.
A goal worthy of (potential) champions.
