The United States women’s soccer team advanced to the FIFA world semifinals after a gritty 2-1 victory over France in Paris on Friday.
Megan Rapinoe accounted for both goals for the Americans, who scored first on Rapinoe’s goal barely five minutes into the game. It continued a trend where the American team has never lost a game in the World Cup when scoring first.
Rapinoe later scored early in the second half for a 2-0 American lead. It was her fifth goal in this year’s World Cup competition, sharing her with the lead with teammate Alex Morgan.
Cropped Photo: Jamie Smed / CC BY 2.0
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France pulled within 2-1 on Wendie Renard’s header in the 81st minute. But it wasn’t enough as American goalie Alyssa Naeher withstood a frantic French finish to slat away the victory.
The victory boosts the Americans into the semifinals against England at 1 p.m. Tuesday. The England qualified by beating Norway, 3-0, on Thursday.
