USA women’s team beat Holland on penalties to land a place in Tokyo 2020’s semi-finals as Sarina Wiegman’s side fail to get revenge for 2019 World Cup Final defeat
USA have progressed through to the semi-final of the the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games after beating Holland 4-2 on penalties.
The two finalists from the 2019 Women’s World Cup final met in the quarter-finals of this summer’s Olympic Games in Yokohama on Friday and played out 120 minutes of football.
However, it was Vlatko Andonovski’s side who held their bottle after the 2-2 result and emerged victorious on penalties – thanks to goals from Rose Lavelle, Alex Morgan, Christen Press and Megan Rapinoe.
USA have progressed through to the semi-final of the the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games
They finished their quarter-final against Holland 2-2 after 120 minutes of football
The quarter-final in Yokohama came off the back of an uncharacteristic group stage for the USA – having finished second to Sweden.
The USA after suffered their first defeat in the group stages, bringing an end to their 44-match unbeaten streak.
Nevertheless, Andonovski’s side bounced back to do the business against Holland and progress through to the next round.
However, they emerged victorious on penalties – beating Holland 4-2
The penalty goal scorers were Rose Lavelle, Alex Morgan, Christen Press and Megan Rapinoe
USA scored two goals in the opening 90 minutes of Friday’s fixture, but it wasn’t enough to secure the victory. Therefore, they were forced to go to penalties.
Miedema, who is the top scorer in the Olympics with 10 goals, was the first to take a spot-kick. However, she was denied after Alyssa Naeher leaped to her right and saved the Dutch-girl’s effort.
Lavelle, who jogged up confidently penalty spot, was the first to take for the USA. She didn’t disappoint as she curled the ball nicely inside the left post to see her country take the lead.
Holland defender Dominique Jansen stepped up next – rolling the ball into the bottom right-hand corner as Naeher dived in the opposite other direction.
The result will come as a blow to Holland – who were hoping to get revenge for 2019 World Cup Final defeat to the USA
Alyssa Naeher was the star after she made several big saves – including a penalty during the 120 minutes of action. Before saving two of the Holland’s spot-kicks during the shootout
Nevertheless, Morgan put an end to Holland’s building momentum by taking a short sharp run-up and burying the ball into the bottom left-hand corner to give the USA the lead.
Press and Rapinoe followed up in similar fashion with two well executed penalties to see the USA live another day.
However, the Americans’ true star was Naeher after she made several big saves – including a penalty during the 120 minutes of action.
Before going on to save two of the Holland’s spot-kicks during the all-important penalty shootout.
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