The USA and Germany may be the best two teams in the world, but their path to the Women’s World Cup final was paved with penalty kicks.
A successful spot kick from Carli Lloyd punished Celia Sasic for missing her own penalty, keeping USA’s dream of winning their third Women’s World Cup alive. Germany, ranked No1 and the tournament’s strongest attacking unit, looked unprepared for USA’s pressure.
This pulsating semi-final was physical from the get-go — Alexandra Popp needed her head bandaged after a gruesome collision — but it would be a pair of penalties that went a long way to deciding the game.
Both teams had been considered favourites going into the tournament and appeared destined to meet in the semi-final. Of the three times these teams have faced one another in a Women’s World Cup, the winner has gone on to lift the trophy.
Germany had dominated this year’s tournament, recording the most goals and most shots of any team by a significant margin. Though their 10-0 thrashing of Ivory Coast skewed the numbers, they still remained the strongest-looking team in Canada.
The Americans also progressed relatively smoothly, but looked low on confidence. Since their win against China in the quarter-final, though, the Americans are riding a wave of dominating soccer.
“This team is getting better, but we have to remember that this isn’t the final,” Abby Wambach said. “We have to win one more game.”
That game is in Vancouver on Sunday at BC Place. On this form, USA will be tough to beat.
