United States beat Germany to progress to Women's World Cup final

Updated: May 17, 2023, 06:16 am

The United States defeated Germany 2-0 in the Women's World Cup semifinal on Tuesday night in Montreal.

Second-half goals from Carli Lloyd and Kelley O'Hara were enough see the U.S. through to the final, where they will meet the winner of Wednesday's clash between England and defending champions Japan.

Neither team were able to break the deadlock in the first half, with Julie Johnston and Alex Morgan going close for the United States.

Just short of the half-hour mark, play was stopped after the U.S.'s Morgan Brian clashed heads with Germany's Alexandra Popp in the American penalty area. Play resumed, but only after Popp's head was washed clean of blood.


United States midfielder Carli Lloyd handed the Americans the lead with a well-taken penalty.
Stuart Franklin/FIFA/Getty Images

Germany began the second half with more intent than the Americans, and were soon rewarded for their efforts. U.S. defender Johnson dragged Popp down in the area, giving away a penalty and receiving a yellow card for her efforts.

Celia Sasic, however pulled the resulting spot-kick wide -- the first penalty miss for Germany in Women's World Cup history.

Germany would be made to rue the miss, because less than 10 minutes later the U.S. were awarded a penalty of their own. Lloyd held her nerve and sent Nadine Angerer the wrong way to give the Americans the lead.

The goal seemed to take the wind out of Germany's sails and five minutes from time substitute O'Hara scored her first international goal to put the result for the United States beyond doubt.