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U.S. beat China 1-0 to face Germany in World Cup semis (updated)

Xinhua, June 27, 2015 Adjust font size:

The United States set up an early clash with Germany after beating China 1-0 here on Friday in the quarter-final of the 2015 Canada Women's World Cup.

Carli Lloyd scored the winner with a header in the 51st minute for the Americans, while Germany edged off France 6-5 in penalty shootouts as their game ended 1-1 after extra time.

Friday's matchup between China and the U.S. reminded fans a lot about the 1999 World Cup finals between the two sides, which was the milestone of the women's football history when the U.S. won by penalty shootouts.

China, which missed the 2011 Germany version, are unexpected qualifiers for the last eight round, while the U.S., which were depleted with starting midfielders Lauren Holiday and Megan Rapinoe, are not at their peak any more.

Facing one of the best defensive teams in the tournament, the U.S. found it hard to break the blocks with only Alex Morgan at front. With Abby Wambach, Rapinoe and Holiday on the bench, the U.S. had to settle with a scoreless first half.

But the U.S. did not wait long for the scoring as Lloyd jumped high in the air to catch a through ball from Julie Johnston and sent the ball into the left corner with her head six minutes after the break.

Lloyd said, "This is the moment I'm waiting for, and preparing for mentally and physically. It was not myself at the beginning, but later I felt freedom to create chances. This win is huge for us on confidence to go into the semis. Everybody feels so happy for the win."

China put up some attacks after that but did not have clear chances to score against the solid back of the U.S., which conceded only one goal so far in the tournament.

U.S. head coach Jill Ellis said, "China are noble opponents. We moved ball very well. We made very good choices, good rhythem, and good decisions. The team stepped up at the big moment. Everybody was ready to be pitched in and just did a great job."

Chinese head coach Hao Wei said he was not happy with himself, but satisfied with the players.

"It's all my fault for the loss. The players were doing great, prefect. I think the U.S. team is not the one we cannot catch up. We have done our best in the tournament, hopefully you could see these players four years later," he said. Endi