By Chris Wright
The US Women spanked France with two late goals to secure themselves a spot in the World Cup against Japan (who beat Sweden 3-1 in the other semi-final) in Frankfurt on Sunday.
Laura Cheney swept home to put the States a goal up inside nine minutes, only for France to equalise ten minutes after the break when Sonia Bompastor’s flat cross bounced across the six-yard box and nestled inside the far post.
As the game entered the last ten minutes, Abby Wambach angled in her second late header in as many games to put the States back ahead, and Alex Morgan sealed the victory three minutes later with a dinky chip over the on-rushing (and, frankly, quite rubbish) Berangere Sapowicz.
As for the final, the omens are looking good from a Yank perspective, with the USWNT having never lost in their two previous appearances.
Photos…
Laura Cheney opens the scoring for the US
Sonia Bompastor’s (out of shot) cross-cum-shot-cum-mostly-cross evades Hope Solo’s dive to put France back on level terms
Abby Wambach heads home to give the States the lead
Alex Morgan chips home the US Women’s third goal of the evening
The US Women celebrate at full-time
Highlights (catch them while you can)…
http://youtu.be/ES7wOXUlj44
Photos: PA