US heads to World Cup final with 2-0 win over Germany

World Today

United States’ Carli Lloyd (10) celebrates with teammates Ali Krieger (11) and Morgan Brian after scoring on a penalty kick against Germany during the second half of a semifinal in the Women’s World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)

The veteran U.S. women’s soccer side earned another chance at World Cup glory on Tuesday, reaching the final for the second time in a row by beating top-ranked Germany 2-0.

Seven of the U.S. team that started the Montreal semi-final had played in the deciding game in 2011, where they lost to Japan, and for many this will clearly be a last opportunity to triumph.

Japan and England meet in the other semi-final on Wednesday in Edmonton. The winner will move on to face the United States in the title game on Sunday in Vancouver.

The inventive and fleet-footed Americans were the superior side throughout an exciting game but the world’s second-ranked side benefited from two crucial decisions by Romanian referee Teodora Albon.

They took the lead in the 69th minute when captain Carli Lloyd scored a penalty after Albon ruled that Annike Krahn had obstructed Alex Morgan. Replays showed the offence took place outside the box.

Minutes earlier U.S. defender Julie Johnston was adjudged to have pulled down Alexandra Popp but escaped with just a yellow card. Neid said Johnston had been the last defender and should have been sent off.

Germany’s Celia Sasic, top scorer in the tournament, dragged the resulting penalty wide in the 63rd minute.

“I thought it was an unbelievable duel between two tremendous teams,” said U.S. coach Jill Ellis, who declined to comment on the officiating.

Report by Reuters.