FIFA Women´s World Cup wrap: Japan, US book final places

The United States will meet Japan in the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup after emerging victoris from their dramatic semi-finals on Thursday.

The United States’ path to the last four in Germany was highlighted by a remarkable 5-3 penalty shootout win over Brazil, with the team only having the opportunity to decide the match on spot-kicks because of Abby Wambach’s amazing 122nd-minute equaliser.

France also qualified for the semi-finals via penalties, defeating England, and were still stinging from the 4-2 loss to Germany in the group stages that ended their 14-match unbeaten run.

But France were to slump their second defeat in three matches, although they seemed headed for extra-time with 15 minutes remaining.

American striker Lauren Cheney struck the only goal of the first half with just nine minutes on the clock, but Sonia Bompastor responded for France 10 minutes after half-time to make it 1-1.

But the US did not fancy another bout of extra-time and it was Wambach who again found the back of the net.

She netted in her third consecutive game for her country with 11 minutes to play, rising highest to meet a corner at the back post.

Substitute Alexandra Morgan wrapped up the victory with her polished chip over France goalkeeper Berangere Sapowicz just three minutes later, sparking wild celebrations as the US booked their spot in the tournament’s final.

In the other semi-final, Japan came from behind to defeat Sweden 3-1.

Josefine Oqvist capitalised on a sloppy pass from Japan captain Homare Sawa to give Sweden a 10th-minute lead, but it did not last long as Nahomi Kawasumi poked home Aya Miyama’s cross just nine minutes later.

Japan became increasingly dominant and were inevitably rewarded when Sawa’s header on the hour-mark handed her redemption and her side a 2-1 lead.

Kawasumi put the finishing touches on the victory with a superb strike on 64 minutes, lobbing Sweden goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl from 110 yards to seal Japan’s progression.