And then there were four.
A place in the World Cup final is up for grabs this evening as the defending champions USA take on England.
This match is being billed as the real final although England have never reached the decider in the Women’s World Cup.
Phil Neville’s side have made the semi-finals before but will they be able to make history against a formidable US outfit?
Here’s how the sides have been named to start:
England: Telford; Bronze, Houghton, Bright, Stokes; Daly, Walsh, Scott, Mead; Parris, White.
USA: Naeher; O’Hara, Dahlkemper, Sauerbrunn, Dunn; Ertz, Horan, Lavelle; Heath, Morgan, Press.
Some big calls there.
Megan Rapinoe – who has been immense so far in the World Cup – is named to start on the bench for USA. Christen Press takes her place.
Meanwhile, England’s starting goalkeeper Karen Bardsley is understood to be out with a hamstring injury. She has been replaced by Carly Telford.
Megan Rapinoe apparently played no part in the warm-up.
Way down there is Megan Rapinoe, who has played no part in the warm-up. Which would suggest a knock rather than tactical reasons. pic.twitter.com/V5oRCNUuJ1
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) July 2, 2019
The fans are ready for road!
There’s just under 10 minutes to go before kick-off. Who will win the first of the Women’s World Cup semi-finals?
Let us know.
Poll Results:
The RTÉ panel reacting to that Rapinoe omission
'It's a massive shock' - Megan Rapinoe on bench for USA v England #rtesoccer #ENGvUSA #USA #FIFAWWWC pic.twitter.com/XJWAGcho0a
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 2, 2019
The teams are out on the pitch now with the anthems to come. It’s almost time to get going.
1 min: England 0-0 USA
And we are off!
England 0-0 USA
England on the ball in the early stages. Both sides just feeling each other out.
Tobin Heath earns the first corner of the game for USA.
England 0-0 USA
SAVE!!
Lovely bit of footwork from Rose Lavelle before unleashing a rifle from close range at Telford, who does well to keep it out.
The frantic move ends with Alex Morgan fizzing her shot over the bar.
England 0-0 USA
England under considerable pressure in the early phases. USA showing no signs of struggle without Rapinoe.
GOAL! (Press 10′) England 0-1 USA
England 0-1 USA
What about that for precision from Christen Press?
A brilliant header to put the USA in front after just 10 minutes. Credit to Tobin Heath as well for orchestrating the move in England territory.
Press was well positioned in the box to get on the edge of a cross and direct her header past Telford.
She was left with too much space though.
England 0-1 USA
And remember, Press was a surprise inclusion for Megan Rapinoe in the USA starting line-up.
The champions are still putting the pressure on England. Phil Neville’s side haven’t launched many attacks so far.
GOAL! (White 19′) England 1-1 USA
England 1-1 USA
GAME ON!!
Ellen White with a tasty finish to help the ball into the net from a cross. England looked to be in real trouble for a few minutes after conceding early, but that’s an incredible response from Phil Neville’s side.
England were struggling to create any sort of meaningful attacks but they find the back of the net from virtually nothing.
The two goals so far in all their glory!
Just 10 minutes on the clock and #USA take lead through Christen Press's brilliant header #rtesoccer #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/ljNqvQEBZM
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 2, 2019
England striker Ellen White guides the ball home to make it 1-1 #rtesoccer #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/DuVgsLWa40
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 2, 2019
England 1-1 USA
After 26 minutes of pulsating action, we have a bit of a breather. Brilliant start to the semi-final.
Lots of good play and England have really settled since that equaliser.
England 1-1 USA
Almost an OG there. Keira Walsh attempts a cross in and USA defender Becky Sauerbrunn gets her toe to it.
She’s obviously trying to prevent a goal, but her touch almost sends the ball into the corner of the net.
GOAL! (Morgan 31′) England 1-2 USA
England 1-2 USA
Goal number six for Morgan!
The USA are back on top after another brilliant header, this time it’s Alex Morgan. She gets ahead of her marker and rises highest to smash the ball home.
All the pressure is back on England once again.
Alex Morgan restores USA's lead with another fine header #rtesoccer #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/qp69tOjWJJ
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 2, 2019
England 1-2 USA
Millie Bright receives a yellow card for an elbow into the face of Alex Morgan. The free-kick is in an inviting position for Abby Dahlkemper.
England 1-2 USA
Good intervention from Bright to cut out a cross and concede a corner. We’re getting close to half-time, and both sides will be grateful of the break.
England 1-2 USA
Jill Scott tries to connect with a corner in the USA box, but her attempt is well off target.
Encouraging play all the same from England, who have brought the pace of the game down to settle after that second USA goal.
Just one minute of added time to be played.
Half-Time: England 1-2 USA
England 1-2 USA – Some first half highlights
England 1-2 USA
And the second half is underway!
England 1-2 USA
No changes to either side at half-time, but England might need to make some switches to get that equaliser.
Meanwhile, Lindsey Horan picks up a yellow card.
England 1-2 USA
Close call!!
Ellen White tries to kick it over her head from a free-kick, but doesn’t connect properly with the shot.
Good start for England to threaten the US goal.
England 1-2 USA
Good defensive play from England to close down on a shot from Julie Ertz. But they need to keep pressing the Americans and get back into opposition territory.
England 1-2 USA
Phil Neville is making a change. Beth Mead is coming off for Fran Kirby.
England 1-2 USA
CLOSE!!
Morgan inches away from getting her second goal of the night. A mix-up in the England defence between Teflord and Bright sees Morgan pounce on the loose ball.
She tries to angle her shot into the top corner but the ball creeps over the bar.
England 1-2 USA
USA Change: Sam Mewis comes on in place of Rose Lavelle.
Meanwhile, Kelley O’Hara earns a free-kick for USA in a set-piece position on the edge of the box. There could be danger here.
England 1-2 USA
Possible England goal!!
We’re going to VAR to check a goal attempt from Ellen White!
England 1-2 USA
OFFSIDE!!
VAR rules out Ellen White’s low strike. It was very tight, and the English crowd did not like that decision.
That could be such a crucial moment at the end of this semi-final.
England 1-2 USA
Tobin Heath is sitting down at the moment and is receiving treatment. The other players take this opportunity to get the water on.
It looks like Heath will have to make way.
England 1-2 USA
CLOSE!!
White tries to get on the end of a ball from Demi Stokes but it sails by her boot. White is screaming at the referee to call a penalty but Edina Alves Batista is having none of it.
Meanwhile, USA is bringing on Carli Lloyd.
England 1-2 USA
Hold on!
The referee is checking that moment to see if White was fouled in the box. Could there be a penalty on the cards?
England 1-2 USA
PENALTY!!!
England could equalise here!!
England 1-2 USA
SAVE!!!!!
Steph Houghton stepped up to take the shot, but it wasn’t a good kick. Naeher collects the ball easily and the scoreline remains the same.
Such drama. Was that the moment for England??
Red Card! (Bright 86′) England 1-2 USA
England 1-2 USA
Huge blow for England as we edge towards the end of the game. Millie Bright gets a second yellow card and is sent off.
Their backs are truly up against the wall now with 10 players on the field.
England 1-2 USA
Seven additional minutes to be played! Plenty of time for England to get the elusive equaliser.
England 1-2 USA
Here’s the penalty miss.
England's Steph Houghton sees her soft penalty, awarded after #VAR check, saved by Alyssa Naeher #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/8LeVzYPwBd
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) July 2, 2019
England 1-2 USA
We’re into the final minute and England just can’t seem to break through the US cover.
England 1-2 USA
And that’s it! The defending champions will progress to the World Cup final
England 1-2 USA
It’s a cruel end for England!
They came so close to getting the equaliser, with two huge opportunities. But they were denied by VAR and a penalty save.
It just wasn’t to be but the USA were truly tested. And they will be hard stopped in the final where they will take on either the Netherlands or Sweden.
Well that’s all from us folks. Have a read of our match report here and we hope you’ll be with us again soon.
Bye for now!
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