United States beat France to book place in Women's World Cup final



The United States struck twice late in the second half to beat France 3-1 and book a place in the Women's World Cup final against Japan, who beat Sweden by the same scoreline.



On a rainy afternoon, the Americans, who won the title in 1991 and 1999 and have never finished below third place in a Women's World Cup, took an early lead when Lauren Cheney flicked in a Carli Lloyd cross in the ninth minute.

High point: United States' Abby Wambach heads the ball past France goalkeeper Berangere Sapowicz

France levelled after the break with a Sonia Bompastor cross that bounced past keeper Hope Solo but two goals in three minutes from Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan secured a third World Cup final appearance for the Americans.

'This is our journey, this is our dream,' a beaming Wambach said. 'France are a great team. There were moments they were outplaying us but I am so proud of this team.

'I know we are going to pull through. I have belief in this team. Everybody is working for each other.'



Pure delight: Abby Wambach celebrates with Megan Rapinoe after scoring the second goal

'We lost our legs a bit but we picked up the fight,' said United States coach Pia Sundhage, whose team needed a penalty shootout to overcome Brazil in the last eight.

'I think it was obvious we had heavy legs so we had to adjust.'

The Americans, under pressure from the start, scored against the run of play through Cheney but immediately fell back with some sloppy passing allowing France to come forward repeatedly.



With Sundhage sensing danger and bellowing from her coaching area, the French dominance almost paid off on the half hour when Gaetane Thiney tested Solo with a close-range effort.



French fancy: Gaetane Thiney watches shot beat United States goalkeeper Hope Solo

Bompastor then rattled the bar with a fierce drive seconds later as France took complete control.

Wambach, who had scored an equaliser deep into extra time against Brazil, should have put the Americans further in front before the break but headed along the goal line from a metre.



The French got their just reward after 55 minutes when Bompastor levelled after whipping in a cross from the left that deceived Solo.

With France coach Bruno Bini bringing on another striker in the speedy Elodie Thomis as they went in search of the winner, the Americans struck at just the right time with Wambach making amends and heading in at the far post in the 79th minute.



Close call: Keeper Hope Solo, right, and team-mate Abby Wambach watch the ball rebound off the crossbar

A smooth chip over keeper Berangere Sapowicz from Morgan three minutes later put the game beyond the French.

'We had our chances and we had a lot,' Bini said.'We were as good as we could have been. But they have a lot of experience.'



In the second semi, Japan came from behind to claim a 3-1 win over Sweden in Monchengladbach and book their first ever appearance in a World Cup final.



Josefine Oqvist's deflected strike gave Sweden the lead in the 10th minute, but Nahomi Kawasumi levelled nine minutes later.

