USA 1 France 0: Carli Lloyd seals victory as Americans ride their luck
The win moves the the US into the top spot in Group G heading into the final round
The United States women's football team celebrates with Carli Lloyd after her 63rd-minute goal put the Americans ahead 1–0 agains France in Group G play Saturday night (Photo: Getty Images/Pedro Vilela)
Hope Solo was the hero for USA in Belo Horizonte on Saturday night (6 August) as world no.3 France were beaten by a strike from world footballer of the year Carli Lloyd. Solo fended off wave after wave of French attacks but it was the Americans who eventually found the net with a rebound off the post which fell to Lloyd, who slotted home in the 63rd minute, giving USA control of Group G.
France started the match strongly and immediately put USA on the back foot, firing off eight shots and hitting the woodwork twice before the Americans could manage a shot on goal.
Lloyd: teams will come after us in Rio
The French created a golden chance towards the end of the first half, carving up an American defence missing its seasoned centre back Julie Johnston, who was out with a groin injury. But Marie-Laure Delie’s shot from just outside the eight-yard box slammed right into US keeper Hope Solo.
Meanwhile, Solo’s goalkeeping saved the United States. Solo, earning a remarkable 200th international cap, blocked shot after shot, including a one-on-one with midfielder Amandine Henry just before the break.
France's Elodie Thomas struggles to control the ball on Saturday night. (Photo: Getty Images/Pedro Vilela)
The match resuemed and 20 minutes into the second half, a breakthrough happened, but not from the French. US midfielder Tobin Heath shot found the near post, but the rebound played perfectly to Lloyd, who easily converted her second goal of the tournament and her fifth in the last three competitive international matches.
France scrambled for an equaliser as the clock inched towards 90 minutes, giving the Americans a couple of scares in the process. Ali Kreiger nearly gave the lead away in the waning moments of the match, deflecting a shot that found the side netting, much to the relief of the Americans.
The win gives the US total control in Group G. The Americans can win the group with a win or a draw against Colombia on Tuesday or a France loss or draw to New Zealand the same day. France has all but clinched a spot in the quarter-finals.
