by Dustin Jayroe

Au revoir! The U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) defeated France 2-1 on Friday, and will advance to the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup for the eighth straight time, on their quest for their fourth World Cup title. 

The quarterfinal matchup could have very well been the World Cup Final. The U.S. came into the match as the number one ranked team in the world, with the host nation France ranked at number four. 

Prior to the win on Friday, the USWNT had not fared well against the French women in recent history, losing twice and drawing once in the last three games between the two. One of those losses was a 3-1 drumming of the U.S. in January of this year, which ended a 28-game winning streak.  

Megan Rapinoe got the scoring started early with a silky set piece goal in the fifth minute, that somehow slithered through the legs of the French defenders.

Rapinoe netted another one in the 65th minute, off of a cross by Tobin Heath. Her second goal on the day made it five for Rapinoe in the tournament, tying her in the Golden Boot (top scorer) race with her teammate Alex Morgan, England’s Ellen White, and Australia’s Sam Kerr (who are eliminated). 

France got back to within striking distance in the 81st minute off a Wendie Renard header. The central defender towers at 6 feet two inches tall, and was somehow left wide open on the end of a free kick. 

But in the end, two goals were too much for the French to muster, and the United States will take their stars and stripes to the semi-finals, which ironically is against England, two days before the Fourth of July. 

 

U.S. vs England

Tuesday, July 2 – 2 p.m. CST

TV: Fox

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