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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Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of France vs USA in the second Women's World Cup quarter-final.
The two tournament favourites meet in Paris after both reaching the last eight unscathed.
France progressed serenely through the group stage before squeezing past Australia in extra-time last weekend.
2015 winners USA also breezed through to top their group before relying on two Megan Rapinoe penalties to beat Spain in the last 16.
We will have all the latest for you from the Parc des Princes.
We're little over an hour away from a true heavyweight World Cup quarter-final and one which, in all honesty, is well befitting of a final.
Hosts France take on defending champions USA, who have continued in such a lethal vein of form. But who are the favourites?
However, the USWNT have been fighting a battle off the field too, with their ongoing lawsuit against US Soccer still ongoing. Today, a Guardian investigation revealed that the women's side has been paid six times less in World Cup bonuses than the men's team.
Last night, the Lionesses pulled off a fantastic victory against Norway to advance to the semi-finals. Here's Mark Critchley's report from Le Havre:
And this is what that heroic victory means as the Lionesses prepare to face the winner of tonight's match:
Team News
France
Bouhaddi, Torrent, Bathy, Renard, Majri, Henry, Thiney, Bussaglia, Diani, Gauvin, Le Sommer.
Subs: Durand, Perisset, Tounkara, Karchaoui, Geyoro, Laurent, Bilbault, Asseyi, Cascarino, Debever, Clemaron, Peyraud-Magnin.
USA
Naeher, O'Hara, Dahlkemper, Sauerbrunn, Dunn, Lavelle, Ertz, Mewis, Heath, Morgan, Rapinoe.
Subs: Harris, Pugh, Brian, Horan, Lloyd, Krieger, Davidson, Sonnett, Long, McDonald, Press, Franch.
Changes
France make one change from the team that narrowly beat Brazil in the last 16. Gaetane Thiney starts in place of Viviane Asseyi.
USA, meanwhile, are unchanged, as expected. They'll be hoping for a repeat of Monday night's performance against Spain.
The heat is almost certain to play a part in tonight's game. It's been sweltering across France throughout the day, with a record temperature of 45.9C recorded.
It's not going to be quite that hot at the Parc des Princes come kick off. But it will be hard work nonetheless for both teams.
France, as the hosts, will be expecting to win tonight. They have a team filled with quality - six of tonight's starting XI play for Lyon, by far and away the most successful club in Europe. Corinne Diacre's side have won 17 of their last 18 games in all competitions, too.
The US have been equally strong over the course of this World Cup, although their 2-1 victory over Spain was not entirely convincing. Their 13-0 win over Thailand remains the highlight of their tournament so far.
Alex Morgan got five goals in that game, enough to take her level with England's Ellen White and Australia's Sam Kerr at the top of the scoring charts. She'll have the Golden Boot in her sights.
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