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Women's World Cup: USA in the semifinals - sports
- At the Women's World Cup, the USA beat hosts France 2-1 and moved into the semi-finals.
- Captain Megan Rapinoe leads her team to victory with an outstanding performance.
Thanks to superstar Megan Rapinoe, the US continues to target the title defense at the Women's World Cup. With two goals from the outstanding captain, the Americans beat France 2-1 (1-0) on Friday night in Paris to face England in the semi-finals on Tuesday in Lyon.
In front of 49,000 spectators at the sold-out Prinzenpark, Rapinoe gave their team the lead in the fifth minute with a direct free-kick. After the break, she made after a counterattack in the 65th minute for the preliminary decision. The 81rd-minute goal by Wendie Renard came too late for France.
For a balance it was not enough in the end
For the frenetically inspired French women, the duel styled in advance of the "Le Grand Match" and the home tournament ended with a bitter disappointment. At 30 degrees, both teams delivered a thrilling and intense duel. France seemed a little confused after the quick deficit, in the offensive lacked the precision. In addition, the well-organized and aggressive US defensive did not admit anything, so that the hosts in the first half came to no scoring.
After the break, France raised the pace. But in the middle of the urgency Rapinoe made after a counter for the 2-0. After the header from Renard Les Bleus hoped for the equalizer, but it was not enough in the exciting final minutes.
