Lloyd steers US to final with 2-0 win over Germany
MONTREAL: An inspired performance from Carli Lloyd lifted the United States into their second straight Women’s World Cup final with a 2-0 win over top-ranked Germany in a hugely enjoyable game on Tuesday.
In a battle between the world’s top two teams, the US largely dominated in front of 51,000 largely American supporters at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium.
In a dramatic second half, Germany’s Celia Sasic missed a penalty kick on 60 minutes before Lloyd opened the scoring nine minutes later, taking advantage of a dubious penalty with defender Kelley O’Hara sealing victory with her first-ever goal for the Americans six minutes from time.
“I came here to win this thing not just be a participant that played in a World Cup,” warned the 32-year-old Lloyd, who was wearing the captain’s armband. “It’s a good feeling. I’ve a really confident feeling in us winning it.”
The United States, winners in 1991 and 1999 and ranked second in the world, will play either defending champions Japan or England for the title in Vancouver on July 5.
Captain Lloyd converted her spot kick in the 69th minute after the Romanian referee ruled that Annike Krahn had obstructed Alex Morgan. Replays showed the offence clearly took place outside the box.
“Of course, I’m very, very sad about this, that this penalty shot decided the match,” German coach Silvia Neid said. “What am I going to do though? A referee decision is something I have to live with. I am very sad about it, but I cannot change it.”
Substitute O’Hara flicked the ball home from close range in the 84th minute to seal a merited victory in front of a passionate Montreal crowd and Hope Solo posted her fifth straight shutout, continuing a dominant run for the American defence.
The Americans rode their luck in the 63rd minute when Germany’s Sasic missed a spot kick of her own. US defender Julie Johnston was adjudged to have dragged down Alexandra Popp but escaped with just a yellow card.
It was the fourth World Cup meeting between Germany and the US. In each of the first three games, the winner went on to take the title.
“We’re in a World Cup final, one opponent stands in our way and for me it doesn’t matter who it is,” said US coach Jill Ellis. “We’ll take either [England or Japan]. That sounds arrogant.”
Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2015
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