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Two Megan Rapinoe penalties saw the United States secure their place in the quarter-finals of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Monday after a 2-1 win over Spain.
The holders got off to the perfect start by taking the lead after just seven minutes. Rapinoe struck the opener from the spot after Tobin Heath was brought down in the penalty area.
Yet Spain hit back within three minutes of going behind after some poor defensive play by the United States. Lucia Garcia took advantage and teed up Jennifer Hermoso to chip the ball over goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher.
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The United States went on to have more of the play throughout the game but were not at their best and needed a second spot-kick with 15 minutes left to play to end Spain’s resistance.
Rose Lavelle went down under minimal contact from Virginia Torrecilla, allowing Rapinoe to bag her second of the match and secure a hard-fought win.
USA manager Jill Ellis opted to replace Lindsey Horan with Julie Ertz in midfield, while Spain brought in Vicky Losada and Alexia Putellas for the last-16 clash:
FIFA Women’s World Cup @FIFAWWC
15 MINUTE WARNING!
TV listings
https://t.co/t64sDOmQGs
Live Blog#ESPUSA
https://t.co/Dvsr8qervS
There was plenty of drama right from kick-off, as Spain midfielder Patricia Guijarro tried her luck with a shot that hit Becky Sauerbrunn flush in the face.
The United States then won a spot-kick with just five minutes on the clock after Heath was clipped by Maria Pilar Leon as she cut inside the penalty area.
Captain Rapinoe made no mistake with her penalty, sending goalkeeper Sandra Panos the wrong way with a fierce low shot that flew into the corner.
Yet the holders’ lead was short-lived, as Spain hit back quickly:
OptaJoe @OptaJoe
169 – There were just 169 seconds between Megan Rapinoe’s opener for @USWNT and Jenni Hermoso’s equaliser for Spain. Response. #FIFAWWC https://t.co/imOBz9tyVZ
Sauerbrunn was robbed by Lucia Garcia after a poor pass from goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. Garcia fed Hermoso, who curled a brilliant finish past the goalkeeper:
Squawka Football @Squawka
Jennifer Hermoso is the first player to score against the #USA at the 2019 #FIFAWWC
It was well worth the wait.
https://t.co/isQiUTh0Xa
Rapinoe came close to restoring USA’s lead within minutes of the equaliser. Lavelle picked out the captain with a superb pass, but Rapinoe’s low shot was tipped around the post by a diving Panos.
The holders began to dominate the first half, while Spain suffered a blow when Losada was forced off just after the half-hour mark following a blow to the face:
BBC Sport @BBCSport
#ESP’s Vicky Losada has picked up quite a shiner.
Watch on @BBCTwo & online now
#USA #FIFAWWC #ChangeTheGame https://t.co/J23nHH79Ob
Spain brought on Nahikari Garcia in her place, and the change seemed to help La Roja. Although the United States saw more of the ball, Spain looked a threat on the break.
Grant Wahl at Sports Illustrated offered a neat summary of the first half:
Grant Wahl @GrantWahl
HT #USA 1:1 #ESP. US in a dogfight it might not have expected. Haven’t built on early goal, not sharp enough in attacking end. Decision to sit Horan looking sketchy. Questions about Naeher in goal will only continue. Spain’s best game of the tournament so far.
Heath and Lavelle both went close with shots that flew narrowly over the bar at the start of the second half, while Guijarro saw an effort trickle just past the far post for Spain.
The holders toiled but were awarded a contentious penalty when Lavelle went down under slight contact from Torrecilla.
The decision was allowed to stand after a VAR check, but it still divided opinion:
Jason Longshore @Longshoe
It’s a kick to the knee, it’s a penalty. It’s a little unlucky, defender missed the ball and got Lavelle. #USA with a bit of a gift. Correct call.
Eniola Aluko @EniAlu
Looks to me Lavelle goes to ground after the contact not as a result of it… For me, no pen but I am not a video assistant referee
…. As a striker not loving these time delays to wait to take a penalty though!
Spain made their protests felt, and Rapinoe was also forced to move the ball back onto the spot before she took her kick, but she kept her composure to fire home the winning goal for the holders.
It was hardly a convincing win by the United States, who did just enough to edge Spain, but they will need to sharpen up in defense and attack if they are to retain their title in France.
What’s Next?
USA progress to face tournament hosts France in the quarter-finals on Friday at Paris Saint-Germain’s Parc des Princes stadium.
from Daily Trends Hunter http://bit.ly/31Tq3hl
via IFTTT
Daily Trends Hunter 