Germany’s hopes of clinching a third World Cup title are over. Silvia Neid’s side were beaten 2-0 by the USA in a pulsating encounter in Montreal. After a goalless first half, in which chances were few and far between, the game came to life after the break with penalties for both sides. Celia Sasic missed from the spot for Germany though, with Carli Lloyd converting at the other end, before Kelley O’Hara sealed Germany’s fate late on.
DFB Women's head coach Silvia Neid named just one change to the starting XI which saw off France in the quarterfinals on penalties. Saskia Bartusiak, who was suspended for that final eight match against the French, returned to the heart of defence alongside Annike Krahn, with Babett Peter subsequently dropping to the bench.
Angerer key in first half for Germany
Germany got off to a bright start and took the game to the USA, forcing an early corner after good work down both flanks. That corner produced the first chance of the game for the DFB Women, but Melanie Leupolz’s header went narrowly over keeper Hope Solo’s goal.
However, USA, with the vocal backing of the large majority of the crowd in Montreal, grew into the game, forcing Nadine Angerer into action for the first time in the match, as she stopped a Julie Johnston header well with her feet. Germany were unable to find a way past the Americans’ midfield for large chunks of the first half and USA dominated the midfield battle. It was from midfield that the biggest opportunity of the first half arose. Tobin Heath split open the Germany defence with a delicate through ball, but Angerer was there again to thwart Alexandra Morgan’s effort, blocking the ball with her legs to keep Germany level.
Second-half improvement before penalty drama
The DFB-Team looked like a different side after the interval and piled the pressure on the USA defence in the opening stages of the second half. Anja Mittag did well to leap highest inside the Americans’ 18-yard box seven minutes after the restart from a pinpoint Leonie Maier cross, but her effort was tipped around the post from Solo.
We were then treated to a turbulent seven minutes of football. Firstly, a mix-up in the USA backline allowed Popp an opportunity on goal. The Duisburg forward was unable to get a shot away though, pulled back by Johnston as she fell to the floor. Penalty. Up stepped Sasic, who opted for placement over power but dragged her side-footed shot wide of Solo’s right-hand post.
Eight minutes later, USA had a spot kick of their own. Annike Krahn stopped Morgan in her tracks and the referee adjudged the foul to be inside of the box. Penalty again. Carli Lloyd duly converted from twelve yards, sending Angerer the wrong way to hand the Americans the lead. Germany pressed higher and camped out in USA's half following the opening goal, but to little avail, failing to carve out any clear-cut opportunities. Instead, the United States broke on the counter to seal the win with O’Hara netting from close range following a drilled cross from Lloyd.