The Guardian and The Wall Street Journal 6.24.2019
FINAL: USA 2-1 Spain
It was more controversial than convincing, but let’s count the reasons the USA deserve this result …
1. More possession.
2. A defense that took the edge off most of Spain’s chances after that early goal.
3. As soft as the second penalty call was, some other Spanish fouls went uncalled.
So now a quarterfinal between two favorites, the USA and France, who looked far from dominant in the round of 16.
Megan Rapinoe (Photo above and below) scored both USA goals on penalty kicks in the 7th and 75th minutes.
The win sets up the most anticipated matchup of this World Cup: a quarterfinal showdown with France on Friday at what’s sure to be a raucous Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. The U.S. and France, in addition to being two of the best teams here, have the two largest fan bases by ticket sales.
Rapinoe said her hope for that game is that it will be “just an absolute, like, media circus,” she said, grinning. “I hope it’s huge and crazy. That’s what it should be. This is the best game. This is what everybody wanted.”
