DRESDEN, Germany — Running low on hope and almost out of time, the Americans seemed surely beaten, about to make their earliest exit from the Women’s World Cup.
And then, with one of the most thrilling goals in U.S. history, they weren’t.
Showing a dramatic burst sure to captivate the folks back home, the Americans packed an entire World Cup’s worth of theatrics into a 15-minute span by beating Brazil 5-3 on penalty kicks after a 2-2 tie Sunday night.
Abby Wambach tied it with a magnificent, leaping header in the 122nd minute, and Hope Solo denied the Brazilians — again — in one of the most riveting games in the history of the World Cup, men’s or women’s.
“There is something special about this group. That energy, that vibe,” Solo said. “Even in overtime, you felt something was going to happen.”
The United States advanced to Wednesday’s semifinals against France, which eliminated England on penalty kicks Saturday. And while the Americans would have to win twice more to win the title, they are the only one of the favorites left after two-time defending champion Germany was stunned by Japan on Saturday night.
The U.S. victory came 12 years to the day after the Americans last caught their country’s attention in a big way with their penalty-kick shootout victory over China at the Rose Bowl, which gave them their second World Cup title.
For Brazil, it is yet another disappointment at a major tournament. And this one is sure to sting more than any others, because Marta seemingly had it won for the Brazilians, scoring her second goal of the game in the second minute of overtime for a 2-1 lead.
But Erika stalled when she went down on a tackle, and the delay added three minutes of stoppage time to the game.
That was all the time Wambach and the Americans needed, after pushing themselves to the limit playing a woman short after Rachel Buehler’s 66th-minute ejection.
“Not for one second,” Wambach said when asked if she ever felt the Americans were done. “I kept saying, ‘All it takes is one chance.’ “
Two minutes into stoppage time, Megan Rapinoe blasted a left-footed cross from 30 yards out on the left side that Andreia didn’t come close to getting her hands on. Wambach, one of the best players in the world in the air, made contact and, with one furious whip of her head, buried it in the near side of the net from about 5 yards.
The Americans, shooting first, made their three penalty kicks, only to have Cristiane and Marta easily match them. But then it was Daiane’s turn — the same Daiane who had given the U.S. a 1-0 lead with an own goal in the second minute of the game. She took a hard shot, but Solo stretched out and batted it away. The U.S. had to make two more and did so.
United States 1 0 0 1 — 2
Brazil 0 1 1 0 — 2
United States won 5-3 on penalty kicks
First half — 1, United States, Daiane, own goal, 2nd minute. Second half — 2, Brazil, Marta 3, penalty kicks, 68th minute. First overtime — 3, Brazil, Marta 4 (Maurine), 92nd minute. Second overtime — 4, United States, Wambach (Rapinoe), 120th+2 minute.
Penalty kicks — United States 5 (Boxx G, Lloyd G, Wambach G, Rapinoe G, Kreiger G); Brazil 3 (Cristiane G, Marta G, Daiane NG, Francielle G).
Yellow cards — Lloyd, US, 29th; Aline, Bra, 44th; Marta, Bra, 45th; Solo, US, 67th; Rapinoe, US, 90th+1; Maurine, US, 112th; Boxx, US, 113th, Erika, Bra, 117th. Red card — Buehler, US, 65th.
