Megan Rapinoe scored twice again for the U.S. Women鈥檚 National Team as they defeated host nation France in Paris in the Women鈥檚 World Cup semifinal, 2-1.
United States’ Megan Rapinoe celebrates after scoring her side’s second goal during the Women’s World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between France and the United States at the Parc des Princes, in Paris, Friday, June 28, 2019.
(AP Photo/Francois Mori)
AP Photo/Francois Mori
United States’ Megan Rapinoe scores her side’s first goal during the Women’s World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between France and the United States at the Parc des Princes, in Paris, Friday, June 28, 2019.
(AP Photo/Francois Mori)
AP Photo/Francois Mori
United States’ Megan Rapinoe, second left, celebrates after scoring her side’s second goal during the Women’s World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between France and the United States at the Parc des Princes, in Paris, Friday, June 28, 2019.
(AP Photo/Francois Mori)
AP Photo/Francois Mori
France’s Wendie Renard, center, jumps up to score her sides first goal during the Women’s World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between France and the United States at the Parc des Princes, in Paris, Friday, June 28, 2019.
(AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Just as she did in the U.S. Women鈥檚 National Team鈥檚 round of 16 win over Spain, Megan Rapinoe scored twice to lead the Americans to 2-1 victory over France in Paris on Friday in the much anticipated quarterfinal between the defending champions and the host nation.
It didn鈥檛 take long for the U.S. to make a statement, as Rapinoe slotted a free kick in the fifth minute, seemingly impossibly through a mess of traffic, never touching anything until it slammed into the back of the net.
The game went to half with the U.S. leading 1-0, but it was Rapinoe securing the brace once again, scoring for a second time in the 65th minute as Sam Mewis let Tobin Heath鈥檚 pass cross all the way through the box, where Rapinoe slotted it under the diving keeper.
But France didn鈥檛 go quietly, as Wendie Renard came flying into the box on a set piece to head on home in the 81st minute.
There were some nervous moments late, with France appealing for, but not getting, a handball call against Kelley O鈥橦ara in the box, and the American defense thwarting multiple desperate French attacks.
The USWNT advances to take on England on Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET in the semifinal.
