England will take on the US in the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup after the Americans knocked out hosts France.
In her first match since becoming embroiled in a row with Donald Trump over whether she would go to the White House should her country win the trophy, Megan Rapinoe struck twice to secure a place in the last four.
French goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi was left blindsided by the first goal – a free kick from the left wing after five minutes, which zipped sharply off the turf and through several pairs of legs on its way into the back of the net.
The celebration made clear that it was a satisfying moment for Rapinoe, 33, who in the build-up to the match had urged her teammates to "think hard" about associating themselves with the US president.
Rapinoe has previously attacked Mr Trump for being "sexist" and "misogynistic", and was one of the first athletes to join the national anthem kneel-down protest against police brutality started by NFL star Colin Kaepernick.
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After team regulations were changed, the openly gay footballer now protests by refusing to sing the national anthem – but it was a newly-emerged video from earlier this year that got the president on her case.
In the footage, she is heard saying "I'm not going to the f****** White House" when asked about the prospect of a visit if her team won the World Cup.
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Some US commentators were concerned that the spat may become a distraction, but there was no sign it had affected any of the players on a humid night in Paris, with the temperature still standing at 29C (84.2F) at 10.15pm.
The match was played at the Parc des Princes at the end of the hottest day France has ever experienced, but both sides played at full throttle to ensure the tens of thousands of supports inside the stadium were entertained.
But it took until the second half for France to start creating some clear opportunities.
France's best chance to equalise came in the 58th minute, when a deep cross found its way to Eugenie Le Sommer at the back post, but the time and space afforded to her was not enough as the striker dragged a powerful right-footed drive into the side netting.
Teammate Kadidiatou Diana raced clear just moments later but was denied by an outstanding block.
Before both of those chances, Bouhaddi had been forced into a fine double save to prevent the World Cup holders from starting Read More – Source
England will take on the US in the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup after the Americans knocked out hosts France.
In her first match since becoming embroiled in a row with Donald Trump over whether she would go to the White House should her country win the trophy, Megan Rapinoe struck twice to secure a place in the last four.
French goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi was left blindsided by the first goal – a free kick from the left wing after five minutes, which zipped sharply off the turf and through several pairs of legs on its way into the back of the net.
The celebration made clear that it was a satisfying moment for Rapinoe, 33, who in the build-up to the match had urged her teammates to "think hard" about associating themselves with the US president.
Rapinoe has previously attacked Mr Trump for being "sexist" and "misogynistic", and was one of the first athletes to join the national anthem kneel-down protest against police brutality started by NFL star Colin Kaepernick.
Advertisement
After team regulations were changed, the openly gay footballer now protests by refusing to sing the national anthem – but it was a newly-emerged video from earlier this year that got the president on her case.
In the footage, she is heard saying "I'm not going to the f****** White House" when asked about the prospect of a visit if her team won the World Cup.
More from World
Some US commentators were concerned that the spat may become a distraction, but there was no sign it had affected any of the players on a humid night in Paris, with the temperature still standing at 29C (84.2F) at 10.15pm.
The match was played at the Parc des Princes at the end of the hottest day France has ever experienced, but both sides played at full throttle to ensure the tens of thousands of supports inside the stadium were entertained.
But it took until the second half for France to start creating some clear opportunities.
France's best chance to equalise came in the 58th minute, when a deep cross found its way to Eugenie Le Sommer at the back post, but the time and space afforded to her was not enough as the striker dragged a powerful right-footed drive into the side netting.
Teammate Kadidiatou Diana raced clear just moments later but was denied by an outstanding block.
Before both of those chances, Bouhaddi had been forced into a fine double save to prevent the World Cup holders from starting Read More – Source
