Carli Lloyd’s heroics propel U.S. into Women’s World Cup final
Carli Lloyd’s heroics propel U.S. into Women’s World Cup final
MONTREAL — Carli Lloyd buried a penalty kick, Hope Solo got another shutout and the United States beat top-ranked Germany 2-0 on Tuesday night to advance to the title match at the Women’s World Cup.
Lloyd’s penalty kick in the 69th minute went into the right side of the goal less than 10 minutes after Celia Sasic shot wide on a penalty kick for Germany.
Former Stanford player Kelley O’Hara came in off the bench and scored in the 85th minute, delighting the pro-American crowd.
The second-ranked United States will play the winner of Wednesday night’s match in Edmonton between defending champion Japan, ranked No. 4, and sixth-ranked England.
The stadium built for the 1976 Olympics, where the East German men won the gold medal, was filled nearly to its blue fabric roof, mostly with fans cheering for the United States.
Julie Johnston missed on a header off a corner kick from Megan Rapinoe, and Alex Morgan’s breakaway in the 15th minute was stopped by goaltender Nadine Angerer.
There was a scary moment in the first half when Germany’s Alexandra Popp and American midfielder Morgan Brian collided in front of the U.S. goal following a free kick from about 25 yards out.
Sasic fooled Solo, who went right, but her kick went wide left, prompting a roar from the crowd.
Sasic went into the match as the tournament’s high scorer with six goals.
Lloyd’s penalty kick was her third goal in three matches.