Tianjin, China – The United States reached the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup, beating England 3-0 on Saturday behind second-half goals from Abby Wambach, Shannon Boxx and Kristine Lilly.
Three goals in 12 minutes broke open a tight game and extended the top-ranked Americans’ unbeaten streak to 51 games over almost three years. The outcome left England winless against the U.S. in 19 years as the Americans seek their third World Cup title.
The U.S. will face the winner of today’s quarterfinal between heavily favored Brazil and Australia. The semifinal will be Thursday in Hangzhou, with the final Sept. 30 in Shanghai.
In Saturday’s other semifinal in Wuhan, Germany defeated North Korea 3-0 and will play Norway or China in the semifinals.
Wambach banged in a header in the 48th minute, directing home a corner from Lilly before a crowd less than half the capacity of the 60,000-seat Olympic Center Stadium. It was her fourth goal of the tournament.
“The first goal is always critical in a match,” American coach Greg Ryan said. “It was difficult for England to get their game going again after that. They lost the momentum and we kept pressing, going after them.
“It’s very difficult to play from one down,” he added. “It was great we were able to put in one and then two others fairly quickly.”
Boxx made it 2-0 in the 57th minute. The midfielder stripped a ball near midfield from England’s Jill Scott and scored on a long shot, the ball going in off the fingertips of surprised England goalkeeper Rachel Brown.
In the 60th minute, Lilly scored her first goal of the tournament – and her eighth in World Cup play. A long ball from across midfield bounced high and fooled Brown, who went far out from the net. She leaped and could only tip it, with Lilly running in behind to knock it home.
Lilly, the 36-year-old captain, is playing in an unprecedented fifth Women’s World Cup.
England coach Hope Powell said her defense was probably caught napping when Wambach pounced.
“At this level if you’re not on your guard with players like Abby, they will punish you,” Powell said.
