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Women's World Cup: US beat Germany to reach finals

The United States go into their second straight Women’s World Cup final with a 2-0 win over top-ranked Germany on Tuesday (June 30).

In a battle between the world’s top two teams, the US largely dominated in front of 51,000 largely US supporters at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium.

The Americans dominated the first half, with forward Alex Morgan having the best chance to open the scoring but Nadine Angerer held firm in the German goal.

While both teams went into the break leveled at 0-0, the second-half brought out the drama.

After the break, Germany’s Anja Mittag headed wide but on the hour mark the European champions had a golden chance when US defender Julie Johnston pulled down Germany's Alexandra Popp as the midfielder slipped in on the blindside.

However, Germany’s Celia Sasic missed the penalty.

Sasic, the tournament’s top scorer with six goals, sent the shot low and just wide of Hope Solo in the US goal, to tears of relief from a distraught Johnston.

The Americans were then awarded a contested penalty when Morgan was brought down by defender Annike Krahn in a tackle that looked to have been outside the box.
 

Lloyd made no mistake from the stop, sending the ball into the corner of the net for her third goal in as many games.

US defender Kelley O’Hara later sealed victory with her first-ever goal for the Americans six minutes from time.

Lloyd pulled clear of her marker to run down the field, crossing to O’Hara, who had come on as a substitute in the 75th minute.

O’Hara fired in the winner from close range, dumping former two-time winners Germany out.

“I came here to win this thing not just be a participant that played in a World Cup,” warned the 32-year-old Lloyd, who was wearing the captain’s armband.

“It’s a good feeling. I’ve a really confident feeling in us winning it.”

The US, winners in 1991 and 1999 and ranked second in the world, will face either defending champions Japan or England for the title in Vancouver on July 5. Japan and England play contest the second semi-final today (July 1).

Japan beat the Americans in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to take the title four years ago.

“We’re in a World Cup final, one opponent stands in our way and for me, it doesn’t matter who it is,” said US coach Jill Ellis.

“We’ll take either (England or Japan). That sounds arrogant.”

Source: AFP, Twitter, Vine

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