Alex Morgan scored what proved to be the winner but hailed goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher after her late penalty save from Steph Houghton allowed holder the United States to claim a dramatic 2-1 victory over England in their women’s World Cup semifinal on Tuesday.
Morgan headed home her sixth goal of the World Cup just after the half-hour mark in this last-four showdown to put her team back in front after Ellen White had cancelled out Christen Press’s early opener.
But after an open first 45 minutes, the second half was dominated by more VAR controversy, with England having another White goal disallowed for the tightest of offside calls following a review by the Brazilian referee.
Phil Neville’s team later benefited from Edina Alves Batista’s decision to award it a spot-kick when Becky Sauerbrunn made the slightest of contact with White in the box, yet Houghton’s 84th-minute kick was stopped by Naeher diving low to her right.
England finished with 10 players after Millie Bright was sent off for a second yellow card late on, and the USA held out to reach the final, despite being without the injured Megan Rapinoe.
“Alyssa Naeher, she should be the player of the match today. She saved our butts today,” said Morgan.
The result: England 1 (White 19) lost to USA 2 (Press 10, Morgan 31) .
