USA vs France result: Holders knock out hosts to set up semi-final clash against England
Relive all the action as two of the tournament favourites met at the Parc des Princes in Paris
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Your support makes all the difference.Holders USA defeated hosts France 2-1 in Paris to advance to the Women's World Cup semi-finals and set up a clash against England.
US talisman Megan Rapinoe gave USA an early lead after just five minutes as her free-kick zipped through the legs of all the bodies crowded in the box and snuck in at the near-post. And then, in the second-half, Rapinoe snatched a second against the run of play, just as France had begun to apply pressure, with the USA on course to advance into the semi-finals.
However, with ten minutes to play, Wendie Renard was left unmarked in the box and headed home to give the hosts a breath of hope and set up a thrilling finale, but the holders just about manager to hold on for victory.
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France get things underway and immediately launch the ball into the US half.
France 0-0 USA
1 minute
An early effort on goal from the US. Ertz find space on the edge of the France box and fires off a powerful shot. It's a comfortable save in the end, though, for Bouhaddi.
France 0-0 USA
4 minutes
USA are looking dangerous on the break early on. A ball in behind is latched onto by Alex Morgan, who goes down under a challenge from Mbock on the edge of the French box. The latter picks up the game's first yellow card.
GOAL! France 0-1 USA (Rapinoe)
5 minutes
USA lead! What a start. Rapinoe’s free kick is drilled in hard and low, and it goes through everyone. The goalkeeper, unsighted by a sea of blue and white shirts, can do nothing to keep it out.
France 0-1 USA
10 minutes
France are struggling to get a foothold in the game early on. Their forays forward have been sporadic and their passing slightly erratic. The US will be delighted with how things are going so far.
France 0-1 USA
14 minutes
Much better from France. They work the ball out to the left flank, from where the ball is crossed in to Eugenie le Sommer. Her header, from a fair way out, doesn't quite have the necessary power to beat Naeher.
At the other end, USA break quickly and Morgan gets a left-footed snapshot off. It's comfortably saved.
France 0-1 USA
16 minutes
It's entertaining, end-to-end football at the minute! France are growing in confidence going forward but leaving gaps for the US to exploit on the break. And that is a risky approach. Bouhaddi races out from the France box to stop Rapinoe latching onto a ball in behind.
France 0-1 USA
22 minutes
There's a few signs that France are coming into this game. They've seen slightly more of the ball and stemmed the flow of US attacks since the early stages. But clear chances remain elusive for the hosts.
France 0-1 USA
28 minutes
The tempo has died down after a frantic few minutes following the opening goal. USA are content to keep their shape, to wait for France to commit players forward. They're doing a good job defensively so far.
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