{"id":8101,"date":"2019-06-24T16:15:57","date_gmt":"2019-06-24T20:15:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=8101"},"modified":"2019-06-25T09:17:52","modified_gmt":"2019-06-25T13:17:52","slug":"rapinoe-scores-two-penalties-to-send-usa-through-to-quarter-finals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=8101","title":{"rendered":"Rapinoe Scores Two Penalties to Send USA Through to Quarter-Finals"},"content":{"rendered":"

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United States’ Megan Rapinoe scores her side’s second goal from the penalty spot (AP Photo\/Thibault Camus)<\/figcaption><\/figure>The United States needed two penalties to see off a stubborn Spain side and advance to the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup with a 2-1 win in Reims.<\/p>\n

Megan Rapinoe scored from the spot in both halves, either side of an equalizer for Jennifer Hermoso, to keep alive American hopes of a fourth World Cup title.<\/p>\n

But this was far from the straightforward victory many would have predicted as Spain provided a stern test of the defending champions.<\/p>\n

Spain were the first to threaten, less than a minute in, with Becky Sauerbrann getting her head in the way to block Patri Guijarro’s powerful shot.<\/p>\n

Moments later, the States had their first penalty as Mario Leon caught Tobin Heath inside the box and Rapinoe sent Sandra Panos the wrong way with a shot into the bottom left-hand corner of the net in the fifth minute.<\/p>\n

But Spain quickly responded, punishing a defensive howler at the back. Sauerbrann was dispossessed by Lucia Garcia after an unwanted short pass from goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, and when the ball fell for Hermoso she lifted a fine shot into the right corner of the net.<\/p>\n

Rapinoe almost had the Americans straight back in front when she met a sweeping ball from Alex Morgan, but they soon learned they would be made to work hard by a Spanish team that grew in confidence as the game went on.<\/p>\n

The pressure began to build again early in the second half but Rose Lavelle sent the best chance narrowly over the crossbar.<\/p>\n

Instead, Team USA would need another spot-kick, their second coming when Virginia Torrecilla caught Lavelle in the box.<\/p>\n

Morgan initially stepped forward, looking for a sixth goal that would put her clear in the tournament scoring charts.<\/p>\n

But, after a lengthy video review which led to a six-minute stoppage in play, it was Rapinoe that took responsibility.<\/p>\n

Panos guessed right this time as Rapinoe picked the same spot, but the result was the same with the goalkeeper unable to get down in time.<\/p>\n

Rapinoe was in the mood for a hat-trick. Out on the left, she hit an audacious effort with the outside of her right boot and watched it sail narrowly wide of the far post from a tight angle.<\/p>\n

A third would have been harsh on Spain, whose performance will have been noted by those aiming to dethrone the Americans.<\/p>\n

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