U.S.A. triumphs over Spain as they get set for the host
The game ended 2–1 to the U.S. with Megan Rapinoe winning player of the game as she scores two goals, including a controversial penalty that broke the ice and gave the U.S. the lead to win the game.
What was thought to be a minor obstacle for the U.S. squad became one of their biggest adversities so far as they face Spain Women’s National Team at Stade Auguste-Delaune II, in Reims, France.
The game kicked off fast with a foul committed Mapi Léon (Spain) on Tobin Heath (U.S.A) in the penalty box. The captain, Megan Rapinoe, stepped up onto the spot and calmly strikes it bottom left while the keeper flies the opposite direction. This gave the U.S. an early lead with just five minutes into the game. The game went on for another four minutes before Becky Sauerbrunn turned the ball over in U.S. territory which resulted in Jennifer Hermoso capitalizing by putting the ball over the keeper and into the back of the net in the 9th minute. Spain decided to make an early substitution taking out Vicky Losada because of an apparent injury, replacing her is Nahikari García.
Within the first fifteen minutes into the second half, Spain had already committed four fouls with no bookings. Both Spain and the U.S. both have had opportunities that got crowds off their feet as the attempts just narrowly misses the goal multiple times. It’s not until the 70th minute where Virginia Torrecilla committed a foul on Rose Lavelle. This penalty was reviewed by VAR (Video Assistant Referee) and after a couple of minutes, the referee decided to call for a penalty. Megan Rapinoe stepped up once again striking the ball at the same spot. Despite the keeper guessing the correct side this time, the ball was placed well out the keeper’s reach as the U.S. takes a 2–1 lead with roughly 15 minutes left. This would be the deciding goal that blasted the U.S. onto the quarter-finals.
The final score WAS 2–1 to the U.S. with a total of 22 fouls, 17 from Spain. This game can be described as a somewhat controversial game due to the penalty call in the second half and how there were only two bookings the entire game of 22 fouls.
The U.S. Women’s National Team will be looking forward to face the host of the tournament, France, in the quarter finals this Friday in Parc des Princes as Spain heads out of the competition.
Megan Rapinoe celebrates as she scores the winning goal for the U.S. (Photo by Bernadett Szabo/Reuters)
