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 1-2 USA
85 minutes
Huge appeals for a penalty! The ball is played against the arm of O'Hara in the box, but she had them by her side. VAR, refreshingly, has been completely absent tonight. Good refereeing.
France 1-2 USA
87 minutes
Heart in mouth moments for the US as France launch a free kick towards the box. The ball is nodded down but goes wide of the post.
USA make their final change: Christen Press replaces potential match winner Rapinoe.
France 1-2 USA
90 minutes
Five minutes of added time will be played. The ball is deep in France's half at the moment.
France 1-2 USA
90+2 minutes
It's all a bit tentative from France. Renard dawdles on the ball on the halfway line and plays a poor pass straight to a white shirt. A lack of conviction has been the story of the night for the hosts, who have a couple of minutes to find an equaliser.
Full time: That's it! USA see out injury time and confirm their place in the semi-final. It's been a clinical and composed display of counter attacking football from Jill Ellis's team.
France might have been winners with a little more quality in the final third, but they couldn't breach a sturdy US defence often enough.
So the hosts crash out, falling earlier than many expected. But it's testament to the strength and tactical intelligence of this USA team.
They'll play England in Lyon on Tuesday night, with a place in the final on the line.
The good news for Phil Neville and his England team is that this USA team are by no means infallible.
There are weaknesses to exploit, and the Lionesses will head into the semi-final in confident mood after that emphatic victory over Norway last night.
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