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SPORTS Tuesday 25 June 2019

U.S. in the World Cup quarterfinals after 2-1 win over Spain

By ANNE M. PETERSON
AP Sports Writer
REIMS, France (AP) — Spain
tested the United States like
no other team at the Wom-
en’s World Cup.
The U.S. looked disor-
ganized at times facing
Spain’s aggressive and
physical style before pulling
out a 2-1 victory Monday
night.
It could have been just
what the Americans need-
ed: France is waiting.
Megan Rapinoe converted
a pair of penalty kicks to
set up the United States’
much-anticipated quarter-
final rendezvous with the
hosts.
The tense match was knot-
ted at 1 until Rapinoe’s
second penalty put the de-
fending champions ahead
in the 75th minute.
“I think we showed just a
lot of grit and experience,
to be honest, in this game,”
Rapinoe said. “Obvi-
ously as we get into these
knockout rounds it’s more
stressful, there’s more pres- United States’Megan Rapinoe scores her side’s second goal from a penalty spot during the Women’s World Cup round of 16 soccer
sure, the games are more match between Spain and US at the Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, France, Monday, June 24, 2019.
intense. Every team lifts its Associated Press
level.” Rapinoe’s first came spectacle. I think this is in- know that we’re strong and the team,” Spain midfield- ply her with whatever she
in the seventh minute to credible for the women’s that we can grind through er Vicky Losada said. “I’m needs,” she said.
the cheers of the U.S. sup- game, when you have two something. So I think we’re so proud of the effort of Morgan, who leads the field
porters melting in tempera- heavy hitters meeting in gonna take a lot from this the team and I think now in France with five goals,
tures that reached nearly the final knockout round.” and it gives us a lot of faith we have to think about it, took a beating throughout
90 degrees at the Stade The game at the home of in ourselves.” and think about the future, the game and was seldom
Auguste-Delaune. They Paris Saint-Germain has La Roja had not scored which I think is going to be a factor. She stayed down
were quieted a short time been anticipated since the in its previous two games so good.” for a long while in the sec-
later when Jennifer Hermo- tournament draw in De- but still finished second in Rapinoe’s first penalty kick ond half after a hard tackle
so tied it up for Spain with cember. France is vying to its group to Germany to was the result of Maria Le- by Irene Paredes.
the first goal the Americans become the first nation to get the matchup with the on’s tackle on Tobin Heath Coach Jill Ellis did not start
had allowed in France. simultaneously hold both Americans. after a pass from Abby midfielder Lindsey Horan,
Video review was used the men’s and women’s The U.S. and Spain last met Dahlkemper. replacing her with Mewis.
to confirm a foul on Rose World Cup titles. The French in a friendly in Alicante Less than three minutes lat- Horan, who came in as a
Lavelle that gave the pink- men won in Russia last year. in January, part of a Eu- er, goalkeeper Alyssa Nae- sub in the 89th minute, had
haired captain the game- The United States skated ropean exhibition trip for her’s pass to Becky Sauerb- a yellow card in the team’s
winner, spoiling Spain’s spir- through its group with a the United States. Christen runn was stripped by Lucia second match.
ited effort in its first knock- stage record 18 goals. The Press scored the lone goal Garcia and the ball wound Rapinoe collected a yel-
out-round appearance at team also didn’t concede in a 1-0 victory. That match up at the feet of Hermoso, low card in the 37th minute
a World Cup. a goal in the group stage was a confidence-booster who sent her shot from the against Spain. The cards
The three-time World Cup for the first time at a World for No. 13 Spain because it penalty arc into the top could become an issue
winners now head to Paris Cup. Until Monday, the was able to hang with the right corner. It was Hermo- for the United States going
to face France on Friday Americans had not allowed world’s top-ranked team. so’s third goal of the tour- forward. Players who ac-
night. The French defeated a goal in eight straight Spain’s profile on the inter- nament to lead Spain. cumulate two through the
Brazil 2-1 in extra time Sun- competitive matches dat- national stage has grown Alex Morgan was set to quarterfinals must sit out
day night, with Amandine ing to the 2016 Olympics, under coach Jorge Vilda, take the penalty after the next game.
Henry scoring the game- outscoring opponents 44-0. who took over following Lavelle was tripped up by Ellis, who coached her
winner in the 107th minute. It was the first goal the Unit- the team’s World Cup de- Virginia Torrecilla, but af- 124th match to match April
“I think this is the game that ed States had allowed this but in 2015. Spain won the ter the review Rapinoe Heinrichs for the most in
everyone had circled,” year since a 5-3 win over 2017 Algarve Cup and last stepped forward and slot- team history, said she felt
Rapinoe said, referring Australia in an April friendly. year won the Cyprus Cup. ted the ball just under the Spain’s challenge will ben-
to France. “I think it’s go- “This tournament isn’t sup- Spain pushed the U.S. hard outstretched arm of Spain efit the Americans come
ing to be a great match. posed to be easy and Monday. goalkeeper Sandra Panos. Friday.
I hope it’s wild and crazy, Spain was a great team,” “I actually think we de- Sauerbrunn was grateful. “I think what this game
I hope the fans are crazy midfielder Samantha Mew- served it more, but you “She’s never going to have gave us and the take-
and there’s tons of media is said. “I think these are the know sometimes football to buy another drink for the aways from it — massive,”
around it and it’s just a big kinds of things that let us is like that. I’m so proud of rest of the time. I will sup- Ellis said afterward.q