Welcome to your daily 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup update, or Women’s World Cupdate, where we recap the past day’s proceedings from France while previewing what is still to come. These features will run every morning throughout the duration of the tournament and feature highlights, major news, and much more from France.
Here’s What Happened: Tuesday, July 2nd
Nothing has come easy for the United States in the knockout rounds at this Women’s World Cup, and that remained true on Tuesday against England. Surprise starter Christen Press opened the scoring early, then Golden Boot leader Alex Morgan scored the winner just past the half hour mark. Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher made a clutch penalty save late, and the United States advanced to the Final on Sunday.
England 1-2 United States
For United States fans, these knockout games have been anything but a breeze, and that trend continued on Tuesday as the USWNT did just enough to down England in their semifinal match by a score of 2-1 at the Stade de Lyon.
United States coach Jill Ellis shocked everyone when she inserted Christen Press into the lineup over Megan Rapinoe who scored the team’s last four goals coming into the match. Whether a strategic change or an injury replacement, Ellis’ decision paid immediate dividends as Press opened the scoring with a header in the 10th minute to give the US another early lead.
It looked like the United States was going to start running away with the game after the opening goal, but England fought back and tied the match just nine minutes later. Tournament co-leading scorer Ellen White took the Golden Boot lead for the first time with a clever redirection off a cross that found the top corner in the 19th minute.
Suddenly sitting in second place in the race for the Golden Boot, Alex Morgan clawed her way back into a tie atop the standings with her first goal since the opening match against Thailand. Positioning herself right in front of goal, Morgan got her head on the end of a Lindsey Horan pass to put the United States back in front 2-1 in the 31st minute. The goal gave Morgan six for the tournament, tying her with White.
From this point forward, the United States was determined to make this lead stand and they did just that, but not without a scare late in the game. With less than 10 minutes remaining, a VAR decision awarded England a penalty and a chance to force extra time. Captain Steph Houghton stepped to the spot, but her shot was stopped by American goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher to keep the United States lead intact. That was the last chance England would have, and the United States finished out the match to book a spot in the Women’s World Cup Final against either Sweden or the Netherlands on Sunday.
Goals
- Christen Press | USA (10′)
- Ellen White | ENG (19′)
- Alex Morgan | USA (31′)
Highlights
WHAT. A. GAME. 🇺🇸
The @USWNT is the first country to reach three consecutive #FIFAWWC finals. See how they did it in our 90′ in 90″ highlights. #BelieveWithUS pic.twitter.com/B642qEv6fO
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 2, 2019
Plays of the Day
Three goals made up the scoring in Tuesday’s thrilling semifinal match between England and the United States, but it was Alyssa Naeher’s late penalty save that stole the show in Lyon.
Rose Lavelle (United States)
.@roselavelle took a defender’s soul just 4 minutes into the game 💀💀 pic.twitter.com/y9RziHQwSL
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 3, 2019
Before the scoring started, United States midfielder Rose Lavelle created the first chance of the game after nutmegging an English defender and forcing a save with a rocket shot from the right side.
Christen Press (United States)
CHRISTEN PRESS! 🇺🇸🇺🇸
No Rapinoe, no problem! The USWNT takes the early lead again and has now scored in the first 15 minutes in every single game this #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/Xqu3u0m56V
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 2, 2019
It turned a lot of heads when news broke that Christen Press was starting in place of Megan Rapinoe against England. Press only needed 10 minutes to show why Jill Ellis made the right call in playing her.
Ellen White (England)
What a goal!
Ellen White takes the lead in the Golden Boot race with her 6th goal of the #FIFAWWC. Great cross from Mead, clinical finish from White. 1-1! pic.twitter.com/U5GoaxbIRv
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 2, 2019
For a brief moment, Ellen White gave England hope and put herself on top of the Golden Boot race. Her top corner deflection brought the Lionesses back level just when it looked like things could have got out of hand early.
Alex Morgan (United States)
Alex Morgan scores her first goal since the opening game and retakes the lead in the Golden Boot race (6 goals, 3 assists)
She’s the first player in #FIFAWWC history to score on her birthday 🎂 pic.twitter.com/EGWBNIyaxI
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 2, 2019
Alex Morgan didn’t give White much time to enjoy her view from the top, jumping back into the Golden Boot lead and putting the United States in front for good with a header off a classy Lindsey Horan pass.
Alyssa Naeher (United States)
NAEHER SAVES!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/h4JqFFLylY
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 2, 2019
Unless Alyssa Naeher does something truly spectacular on Sunday in the Final, this will go down as the biggest save of her career. Facing the prospect of extra time, Naeher stepped up and stopped a Steph Houghton penalty to keep the United States in front late.
Bracket Update
Here’s a quick look at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup knockout bracket after the first semifinal match.
Semifinal one is in the books and it’s the United States claiming stake to the first spot in the Women’s World Cup Final on Sunday in Lyon. They await the winner of Sweden/Netherlands on Wednesday. England comes up just short for a second straight tournament, but they still have a chance to end on a high note when they take part in the Third Place Match on Saturday.
Women’s World Cup Final
July 7th: United States v. Netherlands/Sweden
Third Place Match
July 6th: England v. Netherlands/Sweden
Here’s What’s Next: Wednesday, July 3rd
We know the United States will be playing in the Women’s World Cup Final, now we have to see who will be joining them at Stade de Lyon on Sunday. It will all come down to Sweden and the Netherlands on Wednesday to determine who keeps their hopes of a Women’s World Cup title alive, and who heads to the Third Place Match to face England.
Netherlands v. Sweden
For the Netherlands, this is all uncharted territory, playing in their first ever Women’s World Cup semifinal in just their second ever tournament appearance. On the other side stands Sweden, who has been here many times before, but have never been able to capture the ultimate crown. The Netherlands are undoubtedly a rising soccer power in the women’s game while Sweden has been a mainstay with a long record of success on the pitch. When the two sides meet on Wednesday, one will emerge on the brink of history.
- Time: 3:00 PM
- Location: Stade de Lyon (Lyon)
- How to Watch: FS1
You can watch all the matches live on the channels listed or streaming online at FoxSports.com with a cable sign in.
If highlights are more your style, check out @FOXSoccer on Twitter where goals and game recaps are posted throughout the day.
All game times are listed in Eastern Standard Time.
Golden Boot Outlook
The Golden Boot Award goes to the top goal scorer at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Alex Morgan and Ellen White both register goals in Tuesday’s semifinal match to remain in a dead heat for the Golden Boot. White will play in the Third Place Match on Saturday, meaning Morgan will know exactly what she has to do to win the top prize in the Final on Sunday.
Keep up to date on everything Women’s World Cup right here on “The Bat Flip” where we will be posting our daily Women’s World Cupdate to recap what went on and preview what’s still to come in France.
The Bat Flip 