If excitement is your thing then the Women’s World Cup quarter finals was the place to be. Here’s what happened.
Fifa Women’s World Cup Quarter Finals Review.
In the first quarter finals Germany took on France. France dominated the early proceedings of this match and could have had two goals going into half time. Germany did have the odd chance but it was France who looked the more likely winners at this stage. Although Germany did start the second half brighter it was France who got the opening goal that they deserved, Louisa Necib scoring in the 64th minute. As always with the Germans, they can never be counted out and in the 83rd minute Germany were awarded a penalty for handball. Celia Sasic scored the penalty in the 84th minute and this sent the game into extra time. France could of easily won in extra time but substitute Thiney missed from three yards. The game then went to penalties and Germany did what German teams do in this situation, win. Both teams scored their first four penalties, Sasic scored her second penalty of the night to make it 5-4 and then the German keeper had her moment, saving France’s fifth penalty to send the Germans into the semi finals. Final score Germany 1 France 1 AET. Germany won 5-4 on penalties.
Current World Cup holders Japan are still on course to retain the trophy after their quarter final against Australia. But it wasn’t as easy as they would of liked. Japan were favourites going into the game against an Australian team that shocked Brazil in the last round. For most of the game Japan were on the front foot but Australia did have one or two decent chances. Even though Japan dominated for much of the game they had to wait until the 87th minute to score the winner. Iwabuchi the heroine, scoring from close range. Final score Australia 0 Japan 1
The United States continued their impressive form in major tournaments by securing victory over China. This win means that the United States have qualified for their seventh straight World Cup semi final. A 51st minute header from captain Carli Lloyd was enough to seal victory for USA. China pushed forward without really looking like scoring and in the end the United States could have won by a larger margin. Final score China 0 USA 1
In the last of the quarter finals England once again showed that for them, two really is the magic number. For the fourth time in the tournament England scored twice and won by the same score line, 2-1. This time they beat Canada in their own back yard. Canada were backed by over fifty thousand fans in Vancouver, but this didn’t faze England one bit. They silenced the home crowed by racing into a two goal lead during 3 minute spell in the first half. Jodie Taylor opened the scoring in the 11th minute and within three minutes England had extended their lead through a Lucy Bronze header. Canada pulled one back in the 42nd minute through Sinclair but it wasn’t enough. Both sides had chances to score in the second half but neither could take them. An England senior side, men or women, are now into their first World Cup semi final for twenty five years. Final score Canada 1 England 2.
With the quarter finals now over, the attention turns to the semi finals. Germany will face USA on Wednesday and England will play Japan on Thursday.
