The United States defeated Germany in the FIFA Women's World Cup on Tuesday night in the semifinals to advance to the World Cup final against either Japan or England after goals from Carli Lloyd and Kelley O'Hara in Montreal.
The United States advances to the final for the second straight World Cup and they could have a rematch after losing to Japan on penalty kicks last time around. Germany came in as the top seed and had scored 20 goals in the tournament, but Hope Solo and the Americans shut them out. The United States scored their first goal on a penalty kick and they had some luck in the game with Germany missing one.
Alexandra Popp was taken down to set up that kick for Germany, but Celia Sasic missed her shot against Solo and that set things up for the United States. Solo was determined on the play and she may have psyched Sasic out and she ended up going the wrong way, but the shot went wide. The shot was the first penalty miss for Germany in their World Cup history. Both Germany and the United States had chances in the first half, but the score was 0-0 into the second.
The United States took advantage of a penalty on Alex Morgan and Lloyd was able to put it in the back of the net for the first goal to give Team USA a 1-0 lead. O'Hara came in as a sub and scored in the 84th minute and that helped seal it for the Americans with an assist from Lloyd on the goal. The team now waits for the match on Wednesday between defending champs Japan and England. The final will be in Vancouver and the United States likely will be the favorites even if they play against Japan.
The US team won over Colombia and China in the previous knockout games and they were able to defeat the top ranked team in Germany. The United States now have the chance to win another title and they had an easier road than Germany, who had to play the US along with France on their road to the semifinal. Solo has put up another shutout and she now has a long streak of not allowing goal in World Cup play after putting up one save against Germany. The United States is going for their third Women's World Cup win.
Check here for more on the FIFA Women's World Cup and the results from USA vs. Germany.