U.S. Clinches Group D w/ Win
- Updated: June 16, 2015
Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz
The U.S. Women’s National clinched the top spot in Group D of the Women’s World Cup by grabbing a 1-0 win over Nigeria on Tuesday at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada.
Abby Wambach knocked through the decisive goal on a corner kick from Megan Rapinoe in the 45th minute to send the U.S. into halftime with the lead.
Nigeria finished with 10 women after Sarah Nnodim was issued a second caution in the 69th minute.
The U.S. found plenty of opportunities to widen the gap on each side of halftime. Julie Johnston appeared to slot home the opening goal in the eighth minute, but she was controversially ruled offside on her pass from Wambach. Alex Morgan tested Nigeria’s keeper Precious Dede in the 62nd minute, but wasn’t able to put it past her from point blank.
Nigeria’s best chance at equalizing came in the 55th minute on a long-distance free kick from Desire Oparanozie, who blasted a shot that barely cleared the crossbar.
With the victory, the U.S. finished Group D play with a 2-0-1 record (7 points), and a plus-3 goal differential. Nigeria was eliminated after it finished last with a 0-2-1 (1 point) record, and a negative-3 goal differential.
The game could’ve changed when… Nigeria tested Hope Solo on a dangerous shot inside the box from Asisat Oshoala in the 11th minute. At that point, the U.S. had been snake-bitten by a slew of offside calls, and being put in an early hole could’ve allowed Nigeria to gain an enormous amount of confidence.
Critical moment: Without question, it was Wambach’s goal, especially the timing of it. Had the match gone into halftime scoreless, it would have been quite a moral victory for Nigeria. There’s no doubt that the U.S. was the better squad throughout, but as we saw in last week’s opener between Nigeria and Sweden, all it takes is a little self-belief for a team to capitalize on its chances, however few they may be.
Next up for U.S.: The U.S. will return to action on Monday at 8:00pm ET, but their opponent won’t be known until tomorrow’s Group E and Group F matches conclude. They will play the third place from either Group B, E, or F in Edmonton.
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