Especially a lot of missed Yellow Cards. And I don't buy the "same standard for both teams" argument. Some of them were really due. Also, I am still persuaded that a PK call for US handball in the box (via VAR, if needed) would have be consistent with what we've seen so far in this World Cup.
I predicted France would win, looks like i was wrong...France shots were off goal on shots that would have been netted if they hadn't left their skill in the locker room when they came on field
US has sustained pressure but has locked out France with their experience. They have more chances and deserve to win. Does that also mean France is out of next year's Olympic and England will be there as great Britain?
I am sad about this point. UEFA should go playoffs every cycle IMO; leaving it up to WWC results makes teams victims of the draw, which means it's not really UEFA-controlled qualification.
Why? I thought it was an excellent game. A lot of open play from both teams. France played well, but M'Bock Bathy screwed up early--not only did she get caught napping no Rapinoe's Bill Belichick-style quick thrown-in that resulted in the free kick (and yellow to her) but I think she was also the French player who failed to cover the near post on the kick--she let the ball get through after Mewis or somebody ran in front of her. Wasn't aggressive enough. France had to chase the game the rest of the way, and they chased it well, but just couldn't find that last pass or last run--and the U.S.--under a lot of pressure--held tough and then got the game-winning counter against run of play. Diani was great for France--and Dunn was courageous: Dunn will remember this game as I doubt she's ever worked half as hard defensively as she did tonight. That was the matchup of the year, IMO. Ertz was very effective in her bowling-ball way. Very entertaining....
Europe only has 3 spot which will give to the best ranked European teams in the WWC. We got England, Italy/Netherlands and Germany/Sweden.
As much as I feel joyful for the US win and sad to see France out so early, I am happy to see the lioness finally got to play in the Olympic again. It's just so unfair that they weren't there last time.
I don't know--France ran the U.S. ragged for the first 20 minutes of the 2nd half but could not find a finish as the U.S. held tight despite being under a lot of pressure. Reminded me of the last 20 minutes of first half of China-Italy match: all China but could not find a way to score--which isn't surprising when the defending team has numbers back. A nice counter by the U.S. sealed the win. Two formidable teams. I thought Diani was the best player on the pitch.
Who was it that said Rapinoe shouldn't be starting? Fess up. Maybe Hope Solo will call the U.S. cowardly for playing a 5-4-1 during most of the second half? But the U.S. bunker worked. Sauerbrunn had an excellent game -- three or four critical tackles. A good game -- but I thought the US vs Spain and France vs Brazil were better. Real nail biters.
Completely disagree. France completely screwed up this game. Had't it been Rapinoe at 5th min. it would have been her or somebody else in the 10th minute.
2. Should be USA and Canada unless someone catastrophically collapses. 12 teams overall at the Olympics.
France 19(5)-(8)10 shots(sog), 7-3 corners, 11-5 tackles, 37-26 clearances, 5-3 offsides, 5-11 fouls, 60% possession, 79% (340/432) - (187/279) 67% passing. France created semi-chances on crosses, but never had a clean through-ball. USA had at least two clear through-balls, and put both in the net. Dunn held up quite well, Torrent did OK. I don't think the 2nd goal was even Torrent's fault, as she was basically hung out to dry 1-v-3 trying to cover Mewis and Rapinoe. One perfect pass beats the high line. I am happy that USA advanced, and sad that France goes out. I'm particularly forlorn that France will receive some criticism for this, as commentators stoop for hackneyed stereotypes about them for 4 more years. Well, this was their chance to rewrite it, and we did our part by being the most worthy scalp for them to mount on the wall.
That’s not a handball according to the Laws of the game. Must be deliberate. One of the most misunderstood laws of the game.